Having Will Stored

boingy

The Co-op will store your will for free and they'll give you a Storage Reference Number. To retrieve the will, you or your executors write to them quoting that ref number and, in the case of the executors, enclosing proof of ID. So make sure the executors have a copy of the ref number. 

I would expect Co-op Legal to be more resistant to going bust than individual solicitor practices but, of course, it can happen. 

XzavierWalnut

RAS said:

XzavierWalnut said:

As I previously replied, our wills are with the CO-OP, so what is the risk of keeping it yourself apart from losing it?
I have a fire and waterproof box at home so could be stored in there along with out LPAs which were also done by the CO-OP.
I have always been confused why they sent us the LPAs, I thought the CO-OP would keep them along with the wills.

I'm confused as to why you paid an outside body/firm to do LPAs when the cost of doing them yourself is much less? Regarding LPAs, you might want to register them now, even if they aren't activated for years? Saves months of hassle when they are needed. 

Regarding the will, the simplest reason for keeping them elsewhere and informing your executors is that there have been threads about wills which have proved "difficult to find", been replaced by hand written ones made shortly before death etc.

Having a will that potential beneficiaries can't get their hands on prior to death could reduce the incentive to change them. Particularly true in complex families.

The LPAs were registered several years ago.
I'm sure I could have done them cheaper, but we have a considerable estate and felt it was not worth taking any risks.