You’ve done the hard part. You’ve set up an Estate Plan. You’ve been responsible and made hard decisions.

So now, the final decision …. Where should I store my original Estate Plan documents?

Here is my expert advice:

Store your original documents in a safe place in your home that will be accessible to others after your death.

Here are some helpful answers to your other questions:

Should my estate planning attorney store the documents?

Many attorneys store documents on behalf of their clients, and I do as well … sometimes. But I believe that for most clients, an attorney’s office isn’t the best place for original documents to be stored. After all, attorneys (like everyone else) die, get sick, change jobs, retire, and can be victims of theft. I believe clients should have control over their documents. Your attorney can retain copies and knowledge which will allow him or her to continue to represent you and your estate, even if he or she isn’t storing the originals.

Are originals ever needed?

Sometimes. If your estate in Massachusetts has to be probated, it is easier and a little bit quicker and less costly if your Personal Representative has your original Will. Other than that, original documents are rarely needed. Very occasionally however, an original may be requested.

What about fire and water protection?

I advise clients to protect their original documents from fire and water. A fire and water proof document folder and bag like this or this will do the trick. And they don’t cost a lot of money.

Should I store the original documents in a locked safe or a safety deposit box at the bank?

Generally, my answer is no. Documents stored in a locked safe or safety deposit box will not be easily available to others after your death. That creates hassles, problems and extra costs for family members later on.

Should I share copies with my family?

Perhaps. It’s really up to you. In some cases, it makes sense to share copies with family members, particularly the family member who you’ve named as your Attorney-in-Fact, Personal Representative, and Trustee. But you aren’t under an obligation to share. You may wish your estate plan to remain private and you may want to change it in the future without having to explain.

Should I store copies electronically?

It is often a good idea to have and store electronic copies of your estate plan documents on a computer hard drive or online (in Dropbox, Google Drive, or Microsoft OneDrive, for example). But keep in mind that if you are the only one who has the password, the electronic copies won’t be accessible after your death so you may want to share your password or allow others access.