The write stuff: A letter of instructions

Description

Abstract: When drafting an estate plan, the centerpiece is a will or living trust. Such a document determines who gets what, where, when and how, as well as tying up the loose ends of an estate. A valid will or living trust can be supplemented by other legally binding documents, such as trusts (or additional trusts), powers of attorney and health care directives. But there’s still a place at the table for a document that has absolutely no legal authority: a “letter of instructions” to one’s heirs. This article explains how this informal letter can provide valuable guidance and act as a road map to the rest of a person’s estate, while a sidebar looks at creating a family mission statement.