Will Storage and Access Glossary

Accessible Will – a Will that is both legally valid and easily located when needed

Access plan – a documented process for how and by whom the Will can be accessed in the future

Annual document review – the recommendation to update estate documents regularly or after life changes

Combined strategy – using both secure storage and registry for optimal Will protection

Communication templates – prepared messages or forms to notify executors or family

Contact list of key professionals – names and details for legal, financial, and insurance contacts relevant to the estate

Copy of Will – a photocopy or digital version that may be accepted by courts in some cases

Court assumptions – legal presumptions that apply when the original Will is missing

Digital document vault – a secure, online platform used for storing scanned copies or access details of important documents

Digital legacy platform – an online tool to store, organize, and share estate-related documents and access information

Digital organizer – an online or electronic platform to help track estate information

Document access issues – potential delays or legal barriers in retrieving a stored Will

Estate binder – a centralized file or folder that organizes the Will and related documents

Estate planning binder – organized file with instructions and document locations

Estate planning service – companies offering Will storage and digital tracking, typically as part of a legal or financial service package

Executor – the person responsible for carrying out the instructions in a Will and managing the estate

Executor access – ensuring that the person named to carry out the Will can locate and retrieve it when needed

Executor checklist – a guided list to help executors locate and use estate documents

Executor communication – informing the executor about the Will’s location and contents

Executor complications – legal or procedural obstacles faced when a Will is not available

Executor guidance tools – checklists or templates to assist executors with locating and managing estate documents

Family disputes – disagreements among loved ones about the deceased’s intentions

Fireproof safe – a protective container used at home to store documents like Wills, safeguarding them from fire or water damage

Funeral or memorial instructions – notes outlining final wishes for services, burial, or cremation

Guardianship letters – documents explaining who should care for children or dependants, reinforcing Will provisions

Intestacy laws – provincial default rules for distributing an estate when no valid Will is found

Intestacy rules – provincial laws that determine how an estate is divided when no valid Will is available

Intestate assumption – risk that arises when a Will cannot be located, leading to default estate distribution

Joint tenancy – shared legal access that can simplify post-death retrieval from a bank

Lawyer or notary storage – a professional option where Wills are stored in legal offices, often with backup copies

Legal clarity – removing ambiguity around the Will’s existence and storage

Legal documentation – required paperwork for probate and estate distribution

Legal priority of Will – the principle that a legally executed Will overrides any conflicting supporting documents

Legacy plan – a broader plan that includes your Will and outlines how you want your estate handled

Legacy protection – ensuring that the estate plan reflects and secures your final wishes

Letters of instruction – personal notes offering guidance on non-legal matters, such as distributing sentimental items

List of assets and liabilities – a summary of all accounts, property, investments, and debts to help locate and manage the estate

Lost Will – a potential issue when the original Will cannot be found, leading to legal complications

Marriage, divorce, or birth records – legal records that support family relationships and estate claims

Missing Will – when the original signed Will cannot be located after death

Original Will – the signed, physical document required for legal probate and execution of an estate

Personal identification – a copy of an ID (e.g., driver’s license or passport) used to verify the deceased's identity

Plan updates – regular reviews to keep Will storage and registry information current

Private registry – a non-governmental Will location registration platform

Probate – the legal process of validating a Will and allowing the executor to act on it

Probate process – the legal validation and execution of a Will by a court

Provincial Will registry – a government service in some provinces that records the existence and storage location of a Will, though not the Will itself

Public registry – a government-operated Will registration service (e.g., Quebec)

Safe deposit box – a bank-secured storage option that can be problematic if no one else has authorized access

Safe, accessible storage – secure yet reachable place to store the original Will

Secure storage – protecting the original Will from fire, flood, or theft

Storage location disclosure – informing the executor where the Will is stored

Storage updates – periodic revisions to your Will’s storage and documentation

Supporting documents – additional materials stored with a Will to provide context, clarity, and ease for the executor

Table of contents or checklist – an organized summary included with the documents to help the executor navigate them

Templates for letters or asset lists – pre-made forms or formats to help prepare clear supporting documents

Trust or insurance documents – legal paperwork related to trusts and insurance policies referenced in the estate plan

Will communication strategy – informing key people about the Will’s existence and storage details to avoid confusion

Will discoverability – the importance of ensuring that your Will can be found and accessed when needed

Will registry – a database that records the existence and location of a Will

Will storage – the act of keeping a signed Will in a secure and accessible location for future use

Written authorization – formal document granting access to the safe deposit box

Written instructions – guidance left for executors or family members indicating the location and handling of a Will