We do not recommend keeping original estate planning documents in a bank safe deposit box for many reasons. First, they are difficult to access off hours. Second, many box owners fail to add a second key holder (which requires signing a signature card at that branch). Third, a lost key means no access (must pay to drill the box.). Fourth, our legal documents are too large for a standard box. Instead, we recommend a fire proof bag that can be kept in a safe place in the home and can hold other important documents such as a house deed, funeral plot deed, life insurance policy, long term care insurance policy, etc. These bags can be purchased on Amazon or are available to our 2018 clients and prior clients coming in to our Ramsey, NJ office for an in person update meeting.
