A safe deposit box may not be the best place for important papers
Chances are, when you hear the words, “Location, Location, Location,” you think of real estate. These are not the only professionals interested in location, however! Your Elder Law and Estate Planning Attorney will tell you that the location of your important papers can make the difference between a care plan that is followed, and a care plan that is not followed. If your loved ones don’t know where to find your health care power of attorney, living will, or estate planning documents, they won’t be able to use them in time of need.
Location, is not the end of the subject, however. It doesn’t do any good to tell someone where to find your estate plan if no one will be able to easily access it. For example, if you put your plan in a safety deposit box, the bank is not going to let just anyone access it after you pass away. Even if a family member goes to the bank with the key, unless the bank has prior authorization to allow that person to access your box after you pass away the bank will turn him or her away. A court order will be needed to access the box.
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