Letter of  Instruction in Estate Planning

Directions for the distribution of some of your personal property can be included in a letter of instruction.

Not all of your wishes and instructions regarding your estate and assets need to be detailed in your will---especially those instructions that may change over time. Directions for the distribution of some of your personal property can be included in a letter of instruction. If you want your jewelry to be given to your granddaughters and your walking stick to go to your nephew, these can all be addressed in a letter of instruction.

Federal instructions can also be part of this letter. A word of caution: If you have planned your funeral and want it carried out as planned, be sure your family and friends know about it and know where your letter is kept. Many family has found the letter of instruction of a loved one well after the funeral. It is much easier to alter or create a letter of instruction than it is to deal with a new will.

• Names and addresses of people to be notified of your death.

• Instructions for your funeral or memorial service and information on preparations already made.

• Your obituary if you would like to write your own.

• Location of important papers (use the inventory worksheet discussed in Chapter 3, "Figuring Out Where Your Are').

• Disposition of personal property such as jewelry and furniture.

• Life insurance information and beneficiaries.

While not legally binding, a letter of instruction can be a helpful guide to your family and executrix. You can include such things as mentioned above.