What a Letter of Wishes Can Cover
- Funeral and burial preferences — burial vs cremation, religious preferences, music choices
- Personal belongings — who gets specific items not mentioned in the Will
- Discretionary trust guidance — how you would like trustees to exercise their discretion
- Care of pets — naming a preferred carer and any financial provision
- Digital assets — passwords, accounts, what to do with social media profiles
- Messages to loved ones — personal letters or explanations of decisions made in the Will
- Business arrangements — guidance on how to handle business interests
💡 Essential if you have a discretionary trust. Trustees need guidance on how to exercise their discretion — who to benefit, in what proportions, and in what circumstances. Without a letter of wishes, trustees must make decisions blindly.
Letter of Wishes vs Will — Key Differences
| Will | Letter of Wishes | |
|---|---|---|
| Legally binding? | Yes | No |
| Public on death? | Yes — probate is public | No — remains private |
| Witnessed required? | Yes — formal requirements | No |
| Can be updated? | Yes — new Will or codicil | Yes — simply rewrite it |
| Covers | Legal distribution of estate | Personal preferences and guidance |
How to Write One
There are no formal requirements. Write it clearly, date it, sign it, and store it with your Will. Tell your executors it exists and where to find it. Review and update it whenever your circumstances or wishes change.
Unlike a Will, a letter of wishes is a private document — it does not become public record through probate. This makes it suitable for sensitive personal messages or explanations you would not want published.
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