Your Final Instructions

Everyone needs a will, but a will is a legal document that can’t cover all the nuances of a person’s life. To complement your will, it’s generally a good idea to draw up a letter of instruction.

A letter of instruction is a non-legal but important document. In it you explain, in your own words, personal issues or complex, end-of-life matters in a more thorough way. While the letter doesn’t have legal authority, it allows your heirs and executor to understand your wishes and the reasoning behind them. Keep in mind that the people you are relying on to take action will be grieving when your will is read. The letter of instruction can make their tasks easier at a difficult time.

A letter of instruction can save your loved ones time and money. It can also help to avoid misunderstandings and hurt feelings. Once the letter is provided to your heirs, everyone involved will understand why you’ve divided your assets as you have.

Your letter of instruction should cover all of the following:

• The immediate concerns of your death and burial. You should provide instructions about organ donation, funeral services, burial, obituaries and any other actions you would like to have carried out at the time of your death.
• A complete list of all assets. This should include valuables and personal property, not just financial assets.
• An explanation of how your will disperses sentimental assets or heirlooms. These are often the items that can lead to confusion or conflict among your heirs. Explaining how and why you have divided your personal property can help your heirs better understand and accept the dictates of your will.
• Financial account information to help your executor find and access your accounts. Bank/investment account numbers, passwords, PINs and other information can expedite the execution of your estate. You should also point your executor to where you store financial records and legal statements, including the location of your safe deposit box.
• Contact information for designated beneficiaries.
• Information about your wishes regarding the care of your pets.
• Information about how you would like a professional practice or intellectual property handled.
• Specific instructions about care of a minor child or an incapacitated adult child. While this should be laid out in your will, the letter of instruction allows you to explain in more detail your goals, philosophies, aspirations or concerns for the child.

Your death will no doubt be an emotional and difficult time for your loved ones. The letter of instruction can take some of the confusion out of the process. It also allows you to share a final word with them, through a personal message of your wishes and your intent.

The complexity of your estate and your family situation will determine what you need to include in your letter and how long or detailed it should be. Just like your other estate planning documents, your letter of instruction should be reviewed and updated regularly and should be stored in a safe place that is accessible to your relatives or executor.

This article is intended to provide you information about estate planning and is not intended to imply legal advice. You should contact an attorney to discuss your specific situation.