When planning for the future, many people focus on their Will or Trust. But there’s another document that can offer valuable guidance: a Letter of Wishes.

This informal, non-binding letter sits alongside your Will or Trust and gives personal direction to those managing your estate. It’s not a legal substitute, but it can be a powerful way to share your intentions, offer reassurance, and help loved ones make decisions with confidence.

Why Write a Letter of Wishes?

A Letter of Wishes allows you to:

• Guide your executors or trustees on how you’d like them to use their discretion.

• Explain the reasoning behind your decisions and provide comfort and clarity at what can be a difficult time.

It’s important to remember: this letter doesn’t replace a Will, codicil, or Trust document. It’s an informal companion, not a legally binding instruction.

What Can You Include?

Here are some common areas where a Letter of Wishes can be helpful:

Excluding Someone

If you’ve chosen to leave someone out of your Will, the letter can explain why. This may help defend your wishes if a claim is made against your estate.

Funeral Preferences

While Wills often include a brief note on burial or cremation, your letter of wishes can go further. You could detail the type of service, music, readings, flowers, or donation requests.

Guidance for Guardians

If you’ve appointed guardians for your children, you can use the letter to share your hopes for their upbringing. You could write about education, faith, lifestyle, relationships, and more.

Personal Belongings

You might leave personal items (like jewellery, books, or furniture) to be distributed at your executors’ discretion. A Letter of Wishes can guide them on who you’d like to receive what, though anything essential should still be named in your Will.

What Not to Include

Some things must go in your Will, not your Letter of Wishes:

• Monetary gifts: These need to be legally binding.

• Specific bequests: If you want an item to go to a particular person, it must be written into your Will.

Benefits of a Letter of Wishes

• Flexible: You can update it at any time without changing your Will.

• Personal: It’s written in your own words, offering comfort and clarity.

• Private: Unlike a Will, it doesn’t become a public document after your death.

Final Thought

A Letter of Wishes won’t replace legal documents, but it’s a chance to speak directly to those you trust, helping them carry out your wishes with confidence and care.

Need help drafting yours? Our team at is here to guide you. 

Unsure what else shouldn’t be in your Will? Read more here.