Do NOT put an original will in a safe deposit box which is registered in your name only as it will be sealed upon your death and your heirs will have difficulty gaining access to it.

Use either a safe deposit box or a fireproof safe to store important documents and other items. Be sure to make an inventory list to keep at home so you remember what you stored there.

Following is a list of documents:

Adoption & custody papers
Birth, Death & Marriage certificates
Contracts (lease, mortgage, notes, etc.)
Court recorded documents
Diskettes with valuable information
Inventory of valuable possessions (with photos, appraisals and receipts)
Investment & retirement papers
Insurance policies (life, home, auto, etc.)
Lists of bank account & credit card information
Military papers
Mortgage papers
Motor vehicle titles
Naturalization & citizenship papers
Negative of valuable photos (marriage, antique)
Passports Photographs/negatives of valuables
Patents & copyrights
Property deeds
Settlement & divorce decrees
Stock & bond certificates & savings bonds
Trusts, living will, and powers of attorney – copies only