--- title: Where is the Best Place to Store Your Original Estate Planning Documents? description: Estate planning attorneys are often asked where is the best place to store your original estate planning. Consider the following for some advice. image: https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/hubfs/Blog_Images/18214248_m.jpg --- [![Goosman Lawfirm](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Goosmannlaw%20October2017/images/Goosmann_Law_Firm_logo_4C-white.png?width=1250&name=Goosmann_Law_Firm_logo_4C-white.png "Goosman Lawfirm")](http://goosmannlaw.com/) - [COVID-19 Toolbox](https://goosmannlaw.com/covid-19-resource-toolbox/) - Our Team - [Attorneys](https://goosmannlaw.com/attorneys/) - [Non-Attorney Staff](https://http://goosmannlaw.com/non-attorney-staff/) - Practices & Industries - [Practices](https://goosmannlaw.com/practices/) - [Banking & Finance](https://goosmannlaw.com/banking-finance/) - [Bankruptcy, Restructuring & Workouts](https://goosmannlaw.com/bankruptcy-restructuring-workouts/) - [Business](https://goosmannlaw.com/business/) - [Divorce & Family Law](https://goosmannlaw.com/divorce-family-law/) - [Employment](https://goosmannlaw.com/employment-law/) - [Environmental, Health & Safety](https://goosmannlaw.com/health-safety/) - [Estate Planning](https://trustlawcounsel.com) - [Gestational Surrogacy & Adoption](https://goosmannlaw.com/gestational-surrogacy-adoption/) - [International Law](http://goosmannlaw.com/international-law/) - [Litigation / Trial Law](https://goosmannlaw.com/litigation-trial-law/) - [Local Counsel](https://http://goosmannlaw.com/local-counsel/) - [Mergers & Acquisitions](https://goosmannlaw.com/mergers-acquisitions/) - [Rapid Response](https://goosmannlaw.com/rapid-response/) - [Industries](https://goosmannlaw.com/industries/) - [Agribusiness & Cooperatives](https://goosmannlaw.com/agribusiness-cooperatives/) - [Construction](https://goosmannlaw.com/construction/) - [Cyber Law and Telecommunications](https://goosmannlaw.com/cyber-law/) - [Education](https://goosmannlaw.com/education/) - [Health Care](https://goosmannlaw.com/health-care/) - [Manufacturing](https://goosmannlaw.com/manufacturing-law/) - [Multifamily Housing](https://goosmannlaw.com/multifamily-housing-law/) - [Non-Profit & Tax Exempt Organizations](https://goosmannlaw.com/non-profit-law/) - [Real Estate](https://goosmannlaw.com/real-estate/) - [Transportation](https://goosmannlaw.com/transportation/) - [Tribal](https://goosmannlaw.com/tribal/) - Our Firm - [Firm News](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/firm-news) - Careers - [Attorneys](https://goosmannlaw.com/careers/attorneys/) - [Administration](https://goosmannlaw.com/careers/administration/) - [Internships](https://goosmannlaw.com/careers/internships/) - [Client Testimonials and Results](https://goosmannlaw.com/our-firm/client-testimonials-and-results/) - [Culture, Diversity, and Community](https://http://goosmannlaw.com/our-firm/culture-diversity-and-community/) - [Women-Owned Business](https://goosmannlaw.com/our-firm/women-owned-business/) - [Associations & Memberships](https://goosmannlaw.com/associations-memberships/) - [Firm History](https://goosmannlaw.com/firm-history/) - Blogs - [CEO Law Review](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/ceo-on-your-side) - [Construction Lawyer](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/construction-lawyer-on-your-side) - [Cyber Lawyer](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/cyber-lawyer-on-your-side) - [Deal Maker](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side) - [Divorce Docket](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/divorce-lawyer-on-your-side) - [Food for Thought](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/agricultural-lawyer-on-your-side) - [HR Legal Insider](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/human-resources-on-your-side) - [Law Doc](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/health-lawyer-on-your-side) - [Paralegal Review](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/paralegal-review/) - [Real Estate Lawyer](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/real-estate-lawyer-on-your-side) - [Risky Business](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/risk-manager-on-your-side) - [The Banker’s Suit](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/banking-lawyer-on-you-side) - [Trial Law Review](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side) - [Trust Law Counsel](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side) - Resources - [COVID-19 Resource Toolbox](https://goosmannlaw.com/covid-19-resource-toolbox/) - [Podcast](http://podcast.goosmannlaw.com/) - [Videos](https://goosmannlaw.com/videos/) - [FREE eBooks & Tools](https://goosmannlaw.com/free-ebooks-tools/) - Contact Us - [Office Locations](https://goosmannlaw.com/locations/) - [Sioux City Law Firm](https://goosmannlaw.com/locations/sioux-city-law-firm/) - [Sioux Falls Law Firm](https://goosmannlaw.com/locations/sioux-falls-law-firm/) - [Omaha Law Firm](https://goosmannlaw.com/locations/omaha-law-firm/) - [Spirit Lake & Spencer Law Firms](https://goosmannlaw.com/locations/spirit-lake-and-spencer-law-firm/) - [Real Estate Closings Office](https://goosmannlaw.com/locations/real-estate-closing-office/) - [Submit a Testimonial](https://goosmannlaw.com/submit-a-testimonial/) - [Sign Up for Our Newsletter](https://goosmannlaw.com/sign-up-for-our-newsletter/) - [Pay Online](https://goosmannlaw.com/pay-online-3/) - [  (855) 843-4531](tel:855-843-4531) ![](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/hubfs/Blog_Images/Lockbox%20Lawyer/close-button.png) [tel:855-THE-GLF1](tel:855-THE-GLF1) [Trust Law Counsel](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/topic/trust-law-counsel) # [Where is the Best Place to Store Your Original Estate Planning Documents?](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/where-is-the-best-place-to-store-your-original-estate-planning-documents) By [Goosmann Law Team](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/author/goosmann-law-team)   |  9, June 2015 [READ NOW](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/where-is-the-best-place-to-store-your-original-estate-planning-documents) [Read Post](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/where-is-the-best-place-to-store-your-original-estate-planning-documents#article) [![](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/Logo1.jpg?width=60&name=Logo1.jpg)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/author/goosmann-law-team) [Goosmann Law Team](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/author/goosmann-law-team)  Tags: [Trust Law Counsel](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/topic/trust-law-counsel) ![Where is the Best Place to Store Your Original Estate Planning Documents?](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Images/18214248_m.jpg?width=682&name=18214248_m.jpg "Where is the Best Place to Store Your Original Estate Planning Documents?") Estate planning attorneys are often asked where original estate planning documents – Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney, and Health Care Directives – should be stored for safekeeping.  While there is no right or wrong answer to this question, consider the following: - Should you store your original estate planning documents in your safe deposit box?  Many people may believe that the best place to store their original estate planning documents is in their safe deposit box at the local bank. This may make sense if you have given your spouse or a trusted child, other family member, or friend access to your box.  However, since a safe deposit box is a rental arrangement (you are leasing the box from the bank), if you are the only one who signed the lease and you become incapacitated or die, no one else will be able to open your box.  Usually the only way for someone else to gain access to your box if you become incapacitated or die is to obtain a court order, which wastes time and money. If you are not comfortable giving someone else immediate access to your box, many banks will allow you to add your Revocable Living Trust as an additional lessee, which will give your Successor Trustee access to your box if for any reason you can no longer serve as Trustee of your Trust. - Should you store your original estate planning documents in your home safe?  Home safes are popular these days, but in order for yours to be a good place to store your original estate planning documents, it should be difficult to move (bolted to the floor!), fire-proof, and water-proof.  In addition, make sure someone you trust has the combination to your safe or will easily gain access to the combination if you become incapacitated or die. - Should you ask your estate planning attorney to store your original estate planning documents? Traditionally, many estate planning attorneys offered to hold their clients’ original estate planning documents for safekeeping (usually without charging a fee). Today most don’t want to take on the liability.  In addition, as the years go by, it may become difficult for family members to track down your attorney, who could change firms, become incapacitated, or die. (Note: At Goosmann Trust Law Counsel, we keep a copy of our Client’s executed estate plans, but not the originals.)  - Should you ask your Corporate Trustee to store your original estate planning documents?  If you have named a bank or trust company as your Executor or Successor Trustee, this may be the best place to store your original estate planning documents. This is because banks and trust companies have specific procedures in place to insure that your original estate planning documents are stored in a safe and secure area.  If you choose this option, make sure one or more of your family members know where your original documents are located. Regardless of where you decide to store your original estate planning documents, make sure your family members, a trusted friend or advisor, your Executor Succor Trustee, or your estate planning attorney know where to find them when they are needed. For more estate planning related questions, please contact [Goosmann Trust Law Counsel](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side)at (712) 226-4000 today. --- ### **Are you actively selling your business? Have you been given an offer that you (almost) can’t refuse?** Knowing what your company is truly worth is an important part of being a business owner, and [Goosmann Law Firm](http://goosmannlaw.com/) is here to help make sure you are prepared for every possibility. Our FREE EBITDA CALCULATOR not only determines the Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization of a company, but it also breaks out your net profit, benefits, add-backs, and so much more. You know how valuable your business is to you. Now it’s time to see how valuable it will be to those who may want to buy it. Download our EBITDA today to get started. [![New Call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/489404/08bfd5e7-597a-4d9c-9b4f-cc7b131ac82f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/489404/08bfd5e7-597a-4d9c-9b4f-cc7b131ac82f)   ### Select Different CTA for each Post from Blog Editor [![New Call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/489404/a8cefc17-3b9d-4de0-89cd-e60a64752422.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/489404/a8cefc17-3b9d-4de0-89cd-e60a64752422) ### Subscribe Our Blog Thanks for submission!! - Recent - Popular ### Posts by Topic - [Trust Law Counsel (76)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/topic/trust-law-counsel) - [Estate Planning (62)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/topic/estate-planning) - [Wills and Trusts (8)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/topic/wills-and-trusts) - [Trust Planning (5)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/topic/trust-planning) - [Death Taxes (3)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/topic/death-taxes) - [Business Succession (2)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/topic/business-succession) - [Dynasty Trust (2)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/topic/dynasty-trust) - [Inheritance (2)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/topic/inheritance) - [Irrevocable Trust (2)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/topic/irrevocable-trust) - [Last Will (2)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/topic/last-will) - [Probate Fees (2)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/topic/probate-fees) - [South Dakota (2)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/topic/south-dakota) - [Succession Plan (2)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/topic/succession-plan) - [Trust Protector (2)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/topic/trust-protector) - [COVID-19 (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/topic/covid-19) - [Capital Gains Tax (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/topic/capital-gains-tax) - [Cyber Legacy (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/topic/cyber-legacy) - [Digital Assets (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/topic/digital-assets) - [Disability Estate Planning (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/topic/disability-estate-planning) - [Estate Litigation (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/topic/estate-litigation) - [Fiduciary Rule (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/topic/fiduciary-rule) - [Financial Exploitation of the Elderly (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/topic/financial-exploitation-of-the-elderly) - [Financial Planning (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/topic/financial-planning) - [Firm News (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/topic/firm-news) - [Founder Equity in Estate Planning (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/topic/founder-equity-in-estate-planning) - [Handwritten Intentions (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/topic/handwritten-intentions) - [IRA (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/topic/ira) - [IRAs (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/topic/iras) - [Important Documents (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/topic/important-documents) - [Liability Protection (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/topic/liability-protection) - [Portability Election (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/topic/portability-election) - [Probate (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/topic/probate) - [Testament (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/topic/testament) - [Trust Funding (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/topic/trust-funding) - [Virtual Notarization (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/topic/virtual-notarization) - [power of attorney (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/topic/power-of-attorney) - [tax reform (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/topic/tax-reform) DISCLAIMER: The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only, and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. By visiting this website, blog, or post you understand that there is no attorney client relationship between you and the Goosmann Law Firm attorneys and website publisher. No information contained in this post should be construed as legal advice from Goosmann Law Firm, PLC, or the individual author, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information included in, or accessible through, this Post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction. #### Let Us Know What You Thought about this Post. Put your Comment Below. [Previous Post](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/3-liability-planning-tips-for-physicians-that-anyone-can-use) ##### [3 Liability Planning Tips for Physicians That Anyone Can Use](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/3-liability-planning-tips-for-physicians-that-anyone-can-use) [Next Post](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/baltimore-register-of-wills-cant-find-her-fathers-original-last-will-will-your-family-be-able-to-find-yours) ##### [Baltimore Register of Wills Can’t Find Her Father’s Original Last Will, Will Your Family Be Able to Find Yours?](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side/baltimore-register-of-wills-cant-find-her-fathers-original-last-will-will-your-family-be-able-to-find-yours) ### Contact Info **Sioux City Location** P. 712-226-4000 F. (712) 224-4517 **Sioux Falls Location** P. (605) 371-2000 F. (605) 275-2039 **Omaha Location** P. (402) 280-7648 F. (402) 505-3967 --- [Disclaimer](http://goosmannlaw.com/list-all-blogs/disclaimer/) | [Privacy Policy](http://goosmannlaw.com/privacy-policy/) ### Locations **Sioux City Location** 410 5th Street Sioux City, IA 51101 **Sioux Falls Location** 5010 S. Minnesota Avenue, Suite 100 Sioux Falls, SD 57108 **Omaha Location** Advent Building 17838 Burke Street, Suite 250 Omaha, NE 68118 ![Goosmann](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Images/Lockbox%20Lawyer/goosmann-white.png?width=250&name=goosmann-white.png "Goosmann") Goosmann Law Firm is a FULL SERVICE LAW FIRM with locations in Sioux City, Iowa, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Omaha, Nebraska. Goosmann Law attorneys are licensed to practice in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota. Their attorney team's practices and industries include but are not limited to Agribusiness and Cooperatives, Banking and Finance, Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Workouts, Business, Construction, Cyber Law and Telecommunications, Divorce and Family Law, Education, Employment, Environmental Health and Safety, Gestational Surrogacy and Adoption, Health Care, Litigation and Trial Law, Manufacturing, Mergers and Acquisitions, Municipal, Nonprofit and Tax Exempt Organizations, Real Estate, and Transportation, Tribal, Wills, Trusts, Estate Planning, and Probate Law. Goosmann © Copyright 2017