Writing a Will? Learn from Florence Foster Jenkins

Wills and Estate planning are essential elements when considering your legacy for those you love. As they say, the only sure things are death and taxes.

Wise planning for both makes inheritance a smoother, less stressful process for your heirs.

If, like me, you saw the recent, delightful movie, “Florence Foster Jenkins,” you might recall the scene where, seconds before walking on stage to sing at Carnegie Hall, Jenkins (Meryl Streep) whips open her briefcase to add a codicil to her Will.

While the idea of a wealthy socialite keeping her Final Will and Testament in her satchel is comical, it does bring to mind the question: Where should you keep your Will?

For most of us, it should be in a fireproof safe in your home. Your lawyer should also have a copy in their files, but be careful if you consider leaving your original with him or her. Most lawyers destroy client files after seven years: be sure to specify if you’d like any or all documents kept longer.

What is most important is that the ORIGINAL Will is in a safe place that can be quickly located when you die. Your executor and a trusted family member or friend should be told where it is. If it is in a safety deposit box, I strongly encourage you to put your executor’s name and signature on the deposit box, so they don’t have to wait for a death certificate to gain access.

Recall the confusion that followed the sudden death of rock star Prince, who apparently died without a Will. In a June court hearing in Minnesota, Bremer Trust attorney, David Crosby, told the judge hearing the Prince estate matter, that an exhaustive search through thousands of boxes of documents had failed to uncover a will. “We’ve looked under every box lid,” he said.

Don’t let this happen to you. Keep your family secure and assure that your assets go where you want them by writing a Will, naming an executor, and informing your trusted loved ones where they can find your document.