Donald C. Reutemann CFP®, RPA, AIF®

(518) 688-2223

Estate Read Time: 3 min

Put It in a Letter

American actor Lee Marvin once said, “As soon as people see my face on a movie screen, they knew two things: first, I'm not going to get the girl, and second, I'll get a cheap funeral before the picture is over.”

Most people don’t spend too much time thinking about their own funeral, and yet many of us have a vision about our memorial service or the handling of our remains. A letter of instruction can help you accomplish that goal.

A letter of instruction is not a legal document; it’s a letter written by you that provides additional and more personal information regarding your estate. It can be addressed to whomever you choose, but typically, a letter of instruction is directed to the executor, family members, or beneficiaries.1

Make a Cheat Sheet

Think of a letter of instruction as a “cheat sheet” to your estate. Here are a few ideas and concepts that may be included:

  1. The location of important legal documents, such as your will, insurance policies, titles to automobiles, deeds to property, etc.
  2. A list of financial assets, including savings and checking accounts, stocks, bonds, and retirement accounts. Be sure to include account numbers, PINs, and passwords where applicable.
  3. A list of pensions or profit-sharing plans, including the location of their explanatory booklets.
  4. The location of your latest tax return and Social Security statements.
  5. The location of any safe deposit boxes and their keys.

Identify Funeral Wishes

A letter of instruction is also a good place to leave burial or cremation wishes. You should consider giving the location of your cemetery plot deed, if you have one. You may even wish to specify which hymns or speakers you would like included in your memorial service. Although a letter of instruction is not legally binding, your heirs will probably be glad to know how you would like to be remembered. It also may be helpful to leave a list of contact information for people who should be notified in the event of your death.

There is no “best way” to write a letter of instruction. It can be written in your style and reflect your personality, or it can be written to simply convey information. You should decide what type of letter best fits your estate strategy.

Forbes.com, June 18, 2023

The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG Suite is not affiliated with the named broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Copyright FMG Suite.

 

Related Content

Retirement and Quality of Life

Retirement and Quality of Life

Asking the right questions about how you can save money for retirement without sacrificing your quality of life.

Do You Owe The AMT?

Do You Owe The AMT?

If you want to avoid potential surprises at tax time, it may make sense to know where you stand when it comes to the AMT.

Breaking Down the Parts of Medicare

Breaking Down the Parts of Medicare

Medicare is broken down into four specific parts—but what do they mean? This article will help you understand each piece.

 

Have A Question About This Topic?







Thank you! Oops!

SECURE Act 2.0: An Overview

The second iteration of the SECURE Act brings forward several changes to the world of retirement.

How Retirement Spending Changes With Time

It can be difficult for clients to imagine how much they’ll spend in retirement. This short, insightful article is useful.

Why Regular Rebalancing Makes Sense

Without your knowing, your investment portfolio could be off-kilter.

View all articles

Social Security Taxes

Estimate how much of your Social Security benefit may be considered taxable.

A Look at Systematic Withdrawals

This calculator may help you estimate how long funds may last given regular withdrawals.

Bi-Weekly Payments

This calculator estimates the savings from paying a mortgage bi-weekly instead of monthly.

View all calculators

Managing Your Lifestyle

Using smart management to get more of what you want and free up assets to invest.

Investment Strategies for Retirement

Investment tools and strategies that can enable you to pursue your retirement goals.

Principles of Preserving Wealth

How federal estate taxes work, plus estate management documents and tactics.

View all presentations

Consider These 3 Things Before Driving Off the Lot

There are a few things to consider when buying or leasing your next vehicle.

The Cycle of Investing

Understanding the cycle of investing may help you avoid easy pitfalls.

Safeguard Your Digital Estate

If you died, what would happen to your email archives, social profiles and online accounts?

View all videos