Will storage with HMCTS

SiliconChip

I have an appointment with a solicitor soon to have my Will rewritten (the solicitor wrote the current version 5 years ago). I'm considering using the HMCTS Will storage facility (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/store-a-will-with-the-probate-service/how-to-store-a-will-with-the-probate-service) but nowhere on the website or on previous MSE threads can I see a definitive statement that it is the original of the Will that is stored, or alternatively that it can be a copy that's stored, with the original held by me (or possibly by the solicitor). Can anyone help to clarify this please?

RAS

Regardless, your executors need the original will. So the only one that needs to be with HMCTS is the original. It won't help if the one at home gets chucked out clearing when you move, the one at HMCTS needs to be the original.

It also saves your executors having to try and trace what happened to the documents transferred when a firm closed.

SiliconChip

@RAS thanks for replying, and I agree with your logic for storing the original (for me there's also the issue that neither of my executors live that close to me so it'll probably be easier for them to get the Will from HMCTS than from my solicitor), but it would be nice if the website made it clear what is permitted.

Marmaduke123

Does anyone know what the timescale is for retrieving a will stored at HMCTS? I'm considering this, but fear it might take considerably longer than just visiting a local solicitor who is storing a will.

Mojisola

This says about 4 weeks -

www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-withdraw-a-will-from-storage-with-hmcts/how-to-withdraw-a-will-stored-with-hmcts