Secrets & Revelations: Why Lawyers Keep Original Wills

Have you ever had your Last Will and Testament or Trust-based estate plan prepared by an attorney? Where are those original documents? Are they at the lawyer's office? Is that the safest place for your originals - or it could lead to far more complications than are worth mentioning here? Whether the attorney gives you an "advised" choice to have their firm keep your originals or gives you a choice to keep them in your own safe place makes a real difference; you will pay more with the advised choice and less with the free choice. Estate planning lawyers know that the keeping original documents is the business marketing equivalent to having an invisible tether around the client's ankle. If the original attorney keeps the documents, then the client is forced to go back to that original attorney instead of seeking new advice from a different attorney (that may be less expensive) when comes time to probate the estate. There is really no rule against such lawyer conduct. My advice is to keep your original estate planning documents in a safety deposit box or in a fireproof safe in your home. When these documents are needed, they are easily obtained and one has the freedom to use any attorney they choose. If you want to keep your own original documents and your attorney has them in their files, simply ask for the originals back and they are obligated to return them to you. *Robert S. Meyring of The Meyring Law Firm offers free 10 minute phone consultations at 678-217-4369. The Firm's website WillsQuill.com has more articles, details and planning forms. The office is located at the Vinings Jubilee, Paces Ferry Rd. Please Google search "Meyring" for office map.