A letter of wishes explained

What is a ‘letter of wishes’ and what are the benefits of having one?

Louise Igoe, partner in Lodders’ Private Client department, explains what you need to know about a letter of wishes.

What is a letter of wishes?

A letter of wishes is a document drawn up to accompany your will. Unlike a will, it is not legally binding, but it provides guidance for the people dealing with your estate and/or any trusts that are to be set up after you die. A letter of wishes serves to capture your guidance on specific matters that require discretion. It tells your executors, trustees and/or family your views on how you would like them to deal with your assets. It can also set out the way you wish them to approach the exercise of their powers.

A will becomes a public document if a grant of representation is obtained, but a letter of wishes remains confidential to the executors, trustees or family members. It therefore tends to contain more detail of one’s family and affairs.

You should write a letter of wishes in plain English, and sign and date it, but it does not have to be witnessed.

What should I include in a letter of wishes?

The purpose of a letter of wishes is to support the will and aid the persons dealing with your estate. It therefore should not contain anything that conflicts with your will. The letter can cover any aspect of your estate, such as funeral wishes or the distribution of your personal items, and it can also provide longer term guidance with regards to on-going trusts established on your death.

One benefit of a letter of wishes is that you can update and alter it at any time to reflect any changes in your circumstances. It doesn’t have to be formally drawn up or witnessed, so it’s easy to review. This can be helpful if, for example, you have a long list of specific items that you wish to give to various people.

It is particularly important to prepare a letter of wishes where executors and/or trustees have discretion to make decisions, as knowing your intentions will help them when exercising their powers.
Common examples of what you might find in letters of wishes are:

• Who to notify of your death, or in some cases, who not to tell.
• The funeral you want – whether to have a burial or cremation, and any specific instructions about the service. You can set out where you would like to be buried or have your ashes scattered.
• Details of how you would like your personal items to be distributed after your death, such as jewellery, furniture, and photographs.
• Guidance to your executors and/or trustees on how you would like any money to be managed.
• Where trusts are involved, details relating to the main beneficiaries and your wishes about when to make payments. You can also include your thoughts on how long the trust should continue.
• Advice for guardians on how to raise your children. This can include wishes for their religious upbringing, education and where they live.
• Explanations about why you have excluded someone from the will, if you think that it may be a controversial decision or challenged later.

Why do I need a letter of wishes?

Where there is any element of discretion it is important that your executors and/or trustees know your intentions behind the structure of your will. They need to know your main aims and how you would like them to look after all your assets, including clear guidance on when and how to make financial distributions. For example:

• If there are minor beneficiaries, you might only want them to access funds when they reach a certain age.
• There may be other, more personal reasons to delay a person’s inheritance.
• Where trusts are in place, it is also sensible to set out the tax benefits.

When should I write a letter of wishes?

You can write a letter of wishes at any time, but it is ideal to do at the same time as writing your will, when you are focusing on the issues. That way you shouldn’t forget, duplicate or contradict anything in your will. Remember, the letter must ‘support’ the clear instructions in your will.

It’s important to keep the letter and will together at all times, and writing them at the same time is an easy way to ensure this. You should also review the letter and will regularly – every two years is sensible – to ensure you account for any changes in your personal circumstances or the law. Details about the upbringing of your children may need more regular reviews as they grow up.

Does a solicitor have to write a letter of wishes?

No, your own words are perfect. However, solicitors experienced and expert in writing wills and running and administering trusts can guide you through the issues to think about. If you’re not sure what to say, start with a rough draft which your solicitor can translate into a letter of wishes for you.

Can executors refuse to show beneficiaries a letter of wishes?

Yes, an executor can refuse to show the beneficiaries of a will the letter of wishes. However, if a solicitor prepared the will, then obtaining a copy of the full will (including the letter of wishes) is possible by making a Larke v Nugus request.

It is also generally advisable to provide a copy of the letter of wishes to the will beneficiaries, as it can help prevent litigation. For example, if the letter of wishes demonstrates to the beneficiaries, or to anyone left out of the will, why the testator (the person who made the will) chose to divide their assets a certain way, then they are less likely to take legal action to challenge the will.

More information:

The majority of this article first appeared on The Gazette in February 2020, you can read it here.

Louise Igoe is a partner in the Private Client department at Lodders , specialising in wills, probate and estate planning, and acting for a broad range of clients to assist them with the succession of their estates. A full member of STEP (Society of Trusts and Estates Practitioners), Louise is highly experienced in dealing with complex probate matters involving high-value probates and negotiating with HMRC in estates involving claims for agricultural and business property relief. Lodders Private Client team has a national reputation for excellence and top tier rankings from both Chambers guide to the UK Legal Profession and the Legal 500.