As a secure document storage company we’re often thinking about wills, but this month we have even more reason to have them on our minds – October is Free Wills Month.
Free Wills Month is an opportunity for people over 55 to have a simple will, or a pair of mirror wills (for partners or married couples) written or updated for free by a participating solicitor. Statistics from Money Saving Expert show that over half of UK adults do not have a will, or have one that’s out of date, so now is the perfect time to make sure yours is taken care of.
If you aren’t eligible, Will Aid offers the same service to everyone, regardless of age, in November. Instead of their normal fees, participating solicitors will invite you to make an up-front donation to Will Aid.
Why do I need a will?
A will sets out what you’d like to happen to your assets after you pass away. It is a reflection of your wishes, values, and your care for the people who matter most. Having a will in place can make it easier for your loved ones at such a sensitive time, it gives them clear guidance on your wishes as they might not know where to start.
Without a will, the law decides who inherits your estate, known as UK intestacy laws. They follow a fixed order of who gets what, which might not reflect your relationships or what you would have wanted.
Creating a will allows you to:
- Decide who inherits your estate rather than leaving it to chance.
- Appoint trusted guardians for your children or dependents.
- Leave gifts or donations to causes close to your heart.
- Make things easier for your loved ones during a difficult time.
How long does a will last?
A will technically never expires, however it might become obsolete due to life changes like marriage, children, or if someone named in the will passes away. It is a good idea to update your will after any big life changes, including changes in financial circumstances.
You can write your own will, use a will-writing service or have your will written by a solicitor. Solicitors are regulated which ensures you have extra protections in place if anything goes wrong, and they often store the original document for you too. Many people keep their will at home in a drawer, filing cabinet or cupboard, but this leaves you open to risks. Fires, floods, theft, or even simple misplacement can result in loss or damage beyond use. Your executors need the original copy to carry out your wishes, so losing it can lead to delays and extra stress for them.
That’s why it’s best to store your will in a secure location, often outside of your home. With professional storage, your will is kept in a secure facility and logged, so your executors can access it quickly when the time comes.
Most professional storage companies like Archive-Vault will offer fire rated rooms specifically designed for original documents like wills. They provide round the clock security for maximum protection. With high security measures in place, you can have full peace of mind that your will is safeguarded with confidence.
Professional will storage with Archive-Vault
At Archive-Vault, we understand that a will is more than just a document, it’s your final wishes and a vital part of your legacy. That’s why we provide a dedicated will storage service that keeps original wills safe, secure, and readily accessible when they’re needed most.
Our facility offers:
- Fire resistant vaults designed to protect original wills from loss, damage, or deterioration.
- 24/7 security to ensure the highest levels of protection and confidentiality.
- Barcode tracking and complete chain of custody for complete traceability (even when it leaves storage for a review and returns).
- Fast retrieval and delivery options when a will is required by an executor, solicitor, or family member.
By storing your will with Archive-Vault, you can be confident that one of your most important legal documents is protected against theft, accidental destruction, or misplacement. With full traceability and rapid access when you need it, your executor and loved ones can locate the original will quickly, helping to avoid unnecessary stress and delays during the probate process.
Make this Free Wills Month count
This October, Free Wills Month offers the perfect opportunity to put your affairs in order and ensure your final wishes are clearly recorded. Once your will is in place, it’s equally important to ensure the original document is stored safely and can be easily located when it’s needed.
Archive-Vault’s secure will storage service provides a safe, professional home for your original will, helping to ensure it remains protected and easy to locate when the time comes (or for a review). With full traceability, fire-resistant storage, and rapid retrieval services, you can have confidence that your will is preserved and available when your family, executors, or solicitor needs it.
Discover more about our will storage service and how Archive-Vault can help ensure your most important legal document remains protected, secure, and readily accessible.
