Letter of Wishes Template

A Letter of Wishes is an informal document that accompanies your will, providing guidance to executors and trustees on matters your will doesn't cover. Unlike wills, letters are not legally binding — they're morally persuasive guidance that executors should consider but aren't obligated to follow.

When to Use a Letter of Wishes:

• Funeral preferences - Burial vs cremation, specific music, readings, venue, who should attend
• Personal item distribution - Who should receive sentimental items that aren't specifically mentioned in your will
• Explaining decisions - Why you left unequal amounts, excluded someone, or made specific choices
• Guardian guidance - Your wishes for children's upbringing, values, education, religion
• Trust guidance - When and how trustees should distribute funds, circumstances to consider
• Pet care - Who should care for pets, their dietary needs, vet details
• Digital assets - Social media accounts, cryptocurrency, online business instructions
• Personal messages - Final words to loved ones, explanations, expressions of love

Letter of Wishes vs. Will:

Your will is a legal document that controls asset distribution. Your letter provides personal context and guidance. Never try to make legal provisions (gifts, executor appointments) in a letter — these must be in your will to be legally effective.

Our letter template is professionally structured to cover all common areas while keeping content appropriate and useful for executors.

Why Letters Matter:

• Help prevent family disputes: Explaining why you left unequal amounts can reduce hurt feelings and lower the risk of expensive probate litigation (which can cost £30,000-£100,000+ in legal fees).
• Guide discretionary decisions: Trustees with discretionary powers need your input about beneficiary circumstances, timing of distributions, and your values.
• Funeral wishes: Your family may be uncertain about your preferences — a letter removes guesswork during an emotional time.
• Personal item distribution: Wills typically don't list every item — letters can specify who receives sentimental belongings.
• Context for guardians: Guardians raising your children benefit from knowing your values, educational wishes, and parenting philosophy.
• Digital asset access: Modern estates include significant digital assets — letters can provide access information and wishes.
• Private communication: Unlike wills (which become public at probate), letters remain private between you and executors.

Flexibility:

Letters require no witnesses and can be updated anytime. When circumstances change — new grandchildren, asset changes, relationship developments — simply write a new dated letter.

A £10 letter of wishes provides invaluable guidance that helps executors honour your intentions and can reduce family conflict.

Comprehensive Guidance Document:

• ✓ Personal identification and date
• ✓ Will reference section
• ✓ Funeral preferences section
• ✓ Burial/cremation wishes
• ✓ Service preferences
• ✓ Personal item distribution
• ✓ Explanation of decisions
• ✓ Guardian guidance section
• ✓ Trust guidance provisions
• ✓ Pet care instructions
• ✓ Digital assets section
• ✓ Personal messages area
• ✓ Signature and date
• ✓ Storage instructions

Professional structure helping your guidance be is clear, appropriate, and useful to executors.

Related documents: Your letter should accompany your Last Will and Testament. You may also need a Codicil for will amendments, and Advance Directive for healthcare decisions.

Don't Make These Critical Errors:

• Contradicting your will: If your letter says one thing and your will says another, the will prevails. Never use letters to change legal provisions — amend your will instead.
• Creating binding obligations: Avoid language like "you must" or "you are required to" — letters should use "I would like" or "I hope you will consider." Executors aren't legally bound by letters.
• Not dating the letter: Undated letters create confusion about whether they're current or superseded. Always date letters and destroy outdated versions.
• Storing separately from will: If executors never find your letter, it's useless. Store letters attached to or with your will.
• Not informing executors: Tell executors that you've written a letter of wishes and where it's stored.
• Including legally binding provisions: Don't try to make gifts, change beneficiaries, or appoint executors via letter — these require proper will provisions.
• Being vague about personal items: Saying "divide my jewellery fairly" creates arguments — specify "my diamond ring to Sarah, my gold watch to James."
• Offensive or hurtful language: Letters that insult beneficiaries can trigger litigation. Be honest but tactful.
• Not updating after life changes: Review letters after births, deaths, marriages, divorces, or major asset changes.

Our professionally-structured letter template helps avoid these errors while helping your guidance be clear, appropriate, and helpful to executors and beneficiaries.