The Importance of a Letter of Wishes in Estate Planning

When most people think about estate planning, they understand the importance of having a valid Will, an Enduring Power of Attorney, a Medical Treatment Decision Maker, and a current binding death benefit nomination. But there’s another document that can offer additional guidance and peace of mind, a Letter of Wishes.

What is a Letter of Wishes?
A Letter of Wishes is a personal, informal document that accompanies your Will. It’s designed to guide the people you’ve appointed, such as executors, trustees, or guardians, on how you would like certain matters to be handled after your death.

Unlike a Will, a Letter of Wishes is not legally binding. That means your executors or trustees are not legally required to follow it. However, these letters are often given significant weight in practice, as they help loved ones and decision-makers understand your preferences, values, and reasoning, particularly when it comes to more emotional or discretionary decisions.

Why it Matters
A Letter of Wishes can:

• help reduce misunderstandings or disputes by clarifying your intentions.

• offer guidance on matters that don’t quite belong in a Will.

• provide comfort and clarity to your loved ones during a difficult time.

• ensure your personal values and preferences are considered when your estate is administered.

What Can You Include?
There’s no set format for a Letter of Wishes. It can be tailored to reflect your individual circumstances. Common topics include:

• Sentimental Bequests
  You can outline your wishes for personal items like jewellery, photographs, or heirlooms that might not be mentioned in your Will but hold special meaning.

• Funeral and Memorial Preferences
  You might include details such as whether you prefer burial or cremation, the type of service you’d like, music or readings, and whether you'd like a religious or non-religious ceremony.

• Personal Messages
  This is a chance for your voice to come through. You might want to leave messages of love, guidance, or wisdom for your family or friends.

• Guidance on Children and Guardianship
  While your Will should name legal guardians for your children, a Letter of Wishes can provide extra information. For example, how you’d like your children to be raised, values to be instilled, and preferences around education, travel, or cultural beliefs.

• Testamentary Trust Guidance
  If your Will includes a testamentary trust, your Letter of Wishes can give the trustees of the testamentary trust additional insight into how you hope those funds will be used. For example, whether to support education, home ownership, or general wellbeing. 

• Care for Pets
  You can include instructions about who should care for your pets, their daily routines, favourite toys or food, and any particular needs or behaviours.

• Digital Assets and Online Accounts
  This might include guidance on managing or closing email, social media, or other online accounts as well as where to find login details (such as in a password manager).

• Business or Financial Considerations
  If you own a business or have an interest in a company, trust, or other entity, you may wish to include general guidance or share your financial adviser's contact details to help your executors manage these assets more easily.

• People to Notify
  You can list anyone you’d like to be informed after your passing, such as extended family members, close friends, or professional contacts.

Keeping it Relevant and Up to Date
While a Letter of Wishes is flexible and can be updated at any time (without the formalities required for a Will), it’s important to:

• make sure it doesn’t contradict your Will or other estate planning documents.

• keep the tone clear, respectful, and thoughtful — it’s a guide, not an instruction manual.

• review it regularly, particularly after major life events like marriage, separation, the birth of a child, or acquiring new assets.

It’s also important to keep your Letter of Wishes in a safe place, ideally with your Will or somewhere your executors can easily access when needed. 

While not legally binding, a Letter of Wishes can add a personal and meaningful touch to your estate planning. It gives your loved one’s clarity and comfort, helping them honour not just your legal instructions, but also your values, hopes, and your voice.

If you’d like help creating a Letter of Wishes as part of your estate planning, we’re here to help.