Too often, after the demise of a testator who it is known has made a will, the heirs cannot find the document, and the lawyer who drew it knows nothing more about it.
Many men leave their wills with their lawyers. If this should not be done, then it would be well to keep it in the safe of the bank in which the testator has his account.
But whether in these places or another, there should be no doubt as to the existence of a will, or the place in which it may be found.
Only the last will should be kept; all preceding wills should be destroyed.
CARE OF PAPERS
While writing about the care of wills, we are struck with the recollection that wills are not the only papers of value that are apt to be mislaid or lost.
Never pay out money without taking a receipt, and never receive money without giving one.
You are not responsible for the care of the receipts you give, but you certainly are for the receipts you receive.
The trained business man has a place for everything, but there is no reason why the man not so well trained should have to turn his shop or his home upside down every time he wants a paper that proves he has paid a bill, which he must pay again if that receipt is lost.
Everything may be regarded as "lost" that cannot be found, even if you are sure "it is about somewhere."