It is important that you store your Will in a secure place. After your death your Executor will need to file your original Will at the Supreme Court of Western Australia in order to obtain a Grant of Probate. It is possible to obtain a Grant of Probate of a copy of a Will, but such an application can be complex and costly.
When storing your Will:
Do:
- keep your original Will together with any amendments (Codicils) in a safe place. We suggest that you leave your Will in our safe custody department. There’s no charge for this service, and you can retrieve your Will at any time by attending our offices;
- You should keep a copy of your Will in an envelope in a safe place and write on the envelope where the original Will is stored; and
- tell your executor where your original Will is stored.
Do not:
- sign duplicate copies of your Will;
- leave your Will in a bank unless your executor has access to your safe custody box;
- punch holes in or attach anything to your Will using paper clips or staples as this may create uncertainty about the validity of the Will.
