It is never too early to create an estate plan. These documents need to include durable powers of attorney along with healthcare directives. You also need to make sure you update your will regularly as your life changes.
Once you have an estate plan ready to go, you need to make sure you keep it in the right place so it is readily accessible. These documents will not do much if no one can find them, and the best course of action is to have multiple copies kept at several locations.
With your attorney
One of the safest places you can keep a will is with your attorney. Your attorney will retain signed copies of the paperwork, and your loved ones will know exactly whom to turn to. If you keep a will with your attorney, then you need to be certain you visit her or him any time you want to update the documents. More than likely, you will need to create a completely new will from scratch, and your attorney will make sure to throw out any old, outdated papers.
In a safe deposit box
Another good place to store an estate plan is within a safe deposit box at a bank. However, if you want to do this, then it would be easiest to make a loved one a joint owner. If you are the sole owner of the box, then your family will need to go through a legal process to gain access.
At home
You may also feel most comfortable keeping your estate plan at home where you can access it at any time. You do not want to leave these documents out in the open, so you should invest in a durable safe. Keeping it in a safe also ensures it stays protected in the event of a natural disaster, such as a flood or fire.