We regularly get this question from clients followed by a long conversation about security of different locations versus ease of access. We have clients who store their estate planning documents in the freezer, a drawer in their bedside table, a home safe, a safe deposit box, and a hat box in their closet. The most important similarity of all these locations is the client has a dedicated place and has communicated that place to their agents, trustees, and executors. Second is the client has granted their agents, trustees, or executors access to the place where the documents are stored.
Safe deposit box users need to ensure someone other than them (and their spouse) is on the signature card for the box and has a key to the box. Home safe users need to make sure loved ones have the combination, or know where to find the combination (including any * or # requirements). For file cabinets, or freezer shelves, or hat boxes, or any other unlocked location, make sure you tell your loved ones where to find it and ensure they have access to your home so they can get in the door. Consider having your agent, trustee, or executor hold on to the original documents if you or your spouse are prone to misplacing things.