What Documents to Keep With Your Will
Learn what supporting documents, instructions, and information should be stored with your Will to make it easier for your executor and family to carry out your wishes
A Will is the foundation of your estate plan, but it works best when it is surrounded by context and practical information. Executors often need more than just the Will itself to understand your estate, locate your assets, and follow your instructions. That is why it is helpful to store additional documents alongside your Will—securely and accessibly.
These documents are not legally required, but they provide guidance, clarity, and efficiency during a stressful time.
What to Store Alongside Your Will
The following documents and information can be safely stored with your Will to support your executor’s work:
| Item | Why It Helps |
|---|---|
| Personal identification (copy) | Verifies identity, simplifies paperwork |
| List of assets and liabilities | Helps locate accounts, investments, property, and debts |
| Funeral or memorial instructions | Guides loved ones on immediate decisions after your death |
| Contact list of key professionals | Includes lawyer, accountant, financial advisor, and insurance contacts |
| Letters of instruction | Provides context for your wishes, especially for personal or sentimental items |
| Trust or insurance documents | Confirms details for policies or legal arrangements linked to the Will |
| Marriage, divorce, or birth records | Supports legal status or claims in estate distribution |
| Guardianship letters (if applicable) | Reinforces your Will’s decisions on child or dependant care |
Tip: You do not need to store these with the original Will itself, but they should be organized in the same folder, safe, or estate binder. Always indicate where the original Will is located.
How These Documents Help Your Executor Do Their Job
Being an executor is complex. The more organized your estate is, the easier their job becomes. These additional materials help:
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Avoid delays caused by missing account numbers or contact info
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Prevent disputes by explaining decisions or unequal gifts
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Ensure nothing important is overlooked or lost
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Support the Will’s instructions with financial and legal clarity
Important: These documents are not substitutes for the Will. If there is a conflict, the legally executed Will always takes priority. Use supporting documents to enhance—not override—your plan.
How to Keep Your Supporting Documents Organized and Secure
When storing these materials:
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Use labelled folders or dividers to group documents
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Include a table of contents or checklist for easy navigation
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Keep everything in a fireproof safe or digital legacy platform
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Let your executor know how to access this file and what is included
Update these documents regularly. Set a calendar reminder to review them once a year or after any major life changes.
How Optimize Helps You Build a Complete Estate File
At Optimize, we go beyond helping you create a Will. We support the entire structure around it—making sure everything your executor needs is clear, complete, and easy to find.
This includes:
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Reviewing what supporting documents you may need
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Helping you align legal and financial records
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Coordinating your Will with insurance, trusts, and investments
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Providing templates for letters of instruction or asset lists
We help turn your plan into a full estate package.
Why Organizing Your Documents Is a Gift to Your Loved Ones
Leaving a Will is a gift. Leaving a complete, organized estate file is an even greater one. It shows care for your executor, consideration for your beneficiaries, and a commitment to making your final wishes as clear as possible.
These supporting documents are not legal requirements. But they are kindness in action.
Make your Will easier to follow. Surround it with clarity, and leave your loved ones a plan they can rely on.