In a 2003 AARP survey, 75 percent of individuals responded that not being able to communicate their wishes would be worse than death.
Despite this belief, less than half had taken steps to ensure that their wishes would be carried out.
Although death is not an easy topic to discuss, end-of-life planning can mean the difference between survivors carrying out your wishes or second-guessing them. By drafting a letter of instructions, you can ensure that your preferences are known, help protect your estate, and make decision making easier for your loved ones.
A letter of instructions can be used to record information about important documents, such as a will, power of attorney, insurance policies, and tax returns. It also provides a way to communicate your preferences for funeral/burial arrangements and people who should be notified of your death.
Many people believe that a will is sufficient for estate planning. Although a will is essential for managing the legal matters for an estate, it is not the best place to record personal preferences.
It’s important to keep your letter of instructions in a place that is easily accessible to family members, such as the top drawer of your desk. It can be addressed to a spouse, close family member, or trusted friend.
The letter of instruction and accompanying documents should include:
Funeral, burial arrangements – Include service preferences and burial/cremation instructions.
Family records location – Include birth and marriage certificates, Social Security number.
Bank, financial paperwork – Include bank location, account numbers, safe deposit box number, investment statements, tax returns and insurance policies.
Professional contacts – Attorney and accountant
Other important documents – Include your will, power of attorney, property deed/mortgage.
People might also wish to have a Health Care Power of Attorney — may not be valid in your state of residence. This document allows an individual to designate another individual to make health care decisions for them, if they were unconscious, incompetent or otherwise unable to make such decisions. The document may also contain wishes and desires in making health care decisions for the principal.
A letter of instructions is not a legally binding document, but it does provide assistance and guidance to loved ones. Consider how this document, as part of an overall estate plan, can make it easier for survivors to manage your affairs after your death.