Updated: December 2025 • Based on UK Law
What Is a Letter of Wishes?
A letter of wishes is a non-binding document that accompanies a will, providing guidance to executors and trustees on funeral preferences, distribution of personal items, and discretionary trust decisions. Unlike a will, it can be updated without formal execution requirements.
This guide covers funeral wishes, trust guidance, executor instructions, and binding vs non-binding content, with a freeinteractive checklist
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Why Write a Letter of Wishes?
A letter of wishes serves several important purposes:
- Remains confidential: Unlike a will, which becomes public after probate, a letter of wishes stays private
- Guides discretionary decisions: Helps trustees manage discretionary trusts according to your intentions
- Explains your reasoning: Can prevent disputes by explaining why you made certain decisions
- Easy to update: Can be changed at any time without the formality of amending your will
- Covers practical matters: Funeral wishes, notification lists, and personal messages
- Handles sentimental items: Distributes items of emotional value without cluttering your will
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What to Include in a Letter of Wishes
Funeral and Memorial Wishes
- Burial or cremation preference
- Location of burial or where ashes should be scattered
- Type of service (religious, humanist, or other)
- Specific readings, music, or hymns
- Dress code or atmosphere preferences
- Organ donation wishes
Personal Possessions and Sentimental Items
- Jewellery and who should receive specific pieces
- Family photographs and albums
- Furniture with sentimental value
- Collections (books, art, antiques)
- Personal letters or messages for specific recipients
Including photos or descriptions can help executors identify specific items.
Guidance for Trustees (Discretionary Trusts)
- Which beneficiaries should receive priority
- When and how distributions should be made
- Investment preferences or restrictions (e.g., ethical investments)
- Whether professionals should be employed to manage the trust
- How long the trust should continue
- Special circumstances to consider (medical needs, financial hardship)
Children and Guardianship
- Your wishes for their upbringing
- Education preferences
- Religious or cultural considerations
- Relationships you want maintained (grandparents, godparents)
- Activities or values you consider important
Explanations and Reasons
- Why someone has been excluded from your will
- Why gifts are unequal between children or family members
- Context for decisions that may seem unusual
These explanations can help prevent disputes and legal challenges by making your reasoning clear.
Practical Information
- Who to notify of your death
- Who specifically should not be informed
- Location of important documents
- Digital assets and passwords
- Pet care arrangements
What NOT to Include
A letter of wishes is not legally binding. Avoid including:
- Major gifts: Houses, significant assets, or substantial cash amounts should be in your will
- Contradictions: Never contradict your will — the will takes legal precedence
- Legally binding language: Avoid wording that sounds like formal instructions
- Executor appointments: These must be in your will to be valid
- Guardian appointments: These must be in your will to be legally binding
If something must happen, put it in your will. A letter of wishes is for guidance, not instructions.
Is a Letter of Wishes Legally Binding?
No. A letter of wishes is not legally binding. Executors and trustees are not legally obliged to follow it.
However, they should take it into consideration when making decisions. It creates a moral obligation and provides evidence of your intentions if disputes arise.
The Princess Diana case: Princess Diana left a letter of wishes stating that her godchildren should each receive a quarter of her personal belongings. However, because it was not legally binding, the executors instead allowed each godchild to choose only one item from a selection they chose. This illustrates why important gifts should be in your will, not just a letter of wishes.
How to Write a Letter of Wishes
- Use plain English: Avoid legal jargon — write clearly and simply
- Sign and date it: But it does not need to be witnessed
- Reference your will: Include the date your will was made
- Be specific: Give clear guidance so executors understand your intentions
- Be honest: Explain your reasoning, especially for difficult decisions
- Don’t contradict your will: The letter should support your will, not conflict with it
Use our Free Letter of Wishes Compliance Checklist to ensure you cover all the essentials.
Storing Your Letter of Wishes
- Keep it with your will: But not attached to it
- Make copies: Keep one with your will, one with a trusted person, and one in a separate secure location
- Tell your executors: Make sure they know it exists and where to find it
- Review regularly: Update it when circumstances change
Updating Your Letter of Wishes
One of the main advantages of a letter of wishes is flexibility. You can update it:
- Without witnesses
- Without legal formality
- Without amending your will
- As often as you like
Simply write a new letter, sign and date it, and destroy the old version to avoid confusion.
Can Beneficiaries See the Letter of Wishes?
Unlike a will (which becomes public after probate), a letter of wishes remains confidential. Beneficiaries have no automatic right to see it.
Executors and trustees can decide whether to share it, but they are not required to. This makes it suitable for sensitive information you want to keep private.
However, if there are disputes, courts may order disclosure as part of litigation proceedings.
Free Will Planning Resources
Use these free tools alongside your letter of wishes:
- Free Letter of Wishes Compliance Checklist — ensure you cover everything
- Free Asset Inventory Worksheet — list everything you own and owe
- Free Beneficiary Planner — decide who gets what
- Free Executor Information Pack — help your executor understand their role
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The Truth About “Free” Legal Template Sites
Most websites offering a “free legal template” follow the same pattern:
- You click because it’s advertised as free
- You spend 10–15 minutes answering questions
- At the very end, you must create an account or start a “free trial”
- Your card is required upfront
- The subscription auto-renews at £29–£39 per month
This isn’t a free template — it’s a subscription funnel. Many people only realise after being charged £300–£400 over the year.
Why These “Free” Templates Are a Legal Risk
- Outdated wording: not aligned with current UK law
- Missing mandatory clauses: required for legal validity
- No compliance guidance: leaving users without legal context
- No structured checklist: no way to verify the document works
- Not kept updated: often unchanged when legislation changes
One incorrect clause can weaken or invalidate the entire document.
Hidden Problem: Many “Free Template” Sites Aren’t Even UK-Based
Another major issue is that many free or auto-subscription template sites operate outside the UK and use documents originally drafted for the US legal system. These are then loosely adapted for “international use,” which creates serious problems:
- Incorrect terminology: taken from US contract law
- Missing UK statutory references: essential legal requirements omitted
- Non-applicable clauses: terms that don’t apply under UK legislation
- Legal conflicts: risks breaching UK consumer, employment, or GDPR rules
This is one of the most common reasons UK families face disputes or probate issues when using generic US-style templates.
Why Templates UK Does the Opposite
- Drafted by UK professionals: written by experienced business and legal experts
- UK-law only: no US crossover or generic “international” templates
- £10 one-time price: no subscriptions, no renewals
- Full preview: see the exact document before buying
- Two versions included: Editor + Interview formats
- Lifetime access: free lifetime updates included
- Free compliance checklist: included with every document
No tricks. No trials. No hidden fees. Just the exact UK-specific legal document you came for — at the price we told you upfront.
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Last updated: December 2025
Disclaimer: This guide provides general UK legal information, not legal advice. Laws are current as of December 2025.
