Where do you keep your important papers ? Things like your Will, Mortgage, Life Insurance, Retirement Portfolio etc. Depending on your outlook, maybe your age too, most people find a secure place under lock and key. However, if you keep these important documents at home in a desk drawer or filing cabinet, consider how vulnerable you’ll be if there is a theft or fire. Not to mention the cost of obtaining new documents if destroyed or lost.

Some people keep duplicate copies in a home or bank safe, or even at their lawyers office. This provides an obvious secure location, but hard to get at in a moments notice. Usually these kinds of documents are not viewed on a regular basis but when the time comes, you will want to be able to access them quickly. You might ask a family member to keep a copy in their possession or home. Perhaps your Executor could keep a copy.

I suggest you consider keeping all documents in a secure place as well as photocopying them for storage in two seperate locations, it might make you feel better. This, of course,boils down to a personal preference, but you should think ahead and plan based on your own comfort level.