Letter of Instruction Template
Prepared by: [Full Name]
Address: [Street Address]
City, State, ZIP Code: [City, State, ZIP Code]
Phone Number: [Phone Number]
Email Address: [Email Address]
Date: [Date]
Subject: Letter of Instruction
1. Purpose of This Letter
This Letter of Instruction is intended to provide helpful information, personal guidance, and practical directions concerning my affairs, property, records, and wishes.
This document is meant to assist my family members, executor, trustee, agent, caregiver, or other trusted person. It is intended to supplement, and not replace, any will, trust, power of attorney, healthcare directive, beneficiary designation, or other legal document I have signed.
2. Personal Information
My full legal name is: [Full Name]
Date of Birth: [Date of Birth]
Social Security or Identification Number: [Last four digits or other reference, if appropriate]
Place of Birth: [City, State/Country]
Marital Status: [Status]
My current residence is:
[Full Address]
3. Emergency and Family Contacts
The following people should be contacted first if something happens to me:
Primary Contact:
Name: [Full Name]
Relationship: [Relationship]
Phone Number: [Phone Number]
Email Address: [Email Address]
Secondary Contact:
Name: [Full Name]
Relationship: [Relationship]
Phone Number: [Phone Number]
Email Address: [Email Address]
Additional Family Member or Friend:
Name: [Full Name]
Relationship: [Relationship]
Phone Number: [Phone Number]
Email Address: [Email Address]
4. Key Advisors and Professionals
The following professionals or advisors may have important information about my affairs:
Attorney:
Name: [Name]
Law Firm: [Firm Name]
Phone Number: [Phone Number]
Email Address: [Email Address]
Accountant or Tax Professional:
Name: [Name]
Phone Number: [Phone Number]
Email Address: [Email Address]
Financial Advisor:
Name: [Name]
Phone Number: [Phone Number]
Email Address: [Email Address]
Insurance Agent:
Name: [Name]
Phone Number: [Phone Number]
Email Address: [Email Address]
Other Advisor:
Name: [Name]
Role: [Role]
Phone Number: [Phone Number]
5. Important Legal Documents
My important legal documents are located as follows:
☐ Will: [Location]
☐ Trust: [Location]
☐ Power of Attorney: [Location]
☐ Healthcare Directive / Living Will: [Location]
☐ Deeds or Real Estate Records: [Location]
☐ Marriage Certificate: [Location]
☐ Birth Certificate: [Location]
☐ Military Records: [Location]
☐ Other: [Describe and location]
If any original documents are held by an attorney, bank, or other custodian, the details are:
[Insert details]
6. Financial Accounts and Assets
My financial accounts and major assets include the following:
Bank Accounts:
Institution: [Name]
Account Type: [Checking / Savings / Other]
Location of Records: [Location]
Investment Accounts:
Institution: [Name]
Account Type: [Brokerage / Retirement / Other]
Location of Records: [Location]
Retirement Accounts:
Institution: [Name]
Account Type: [401(k) / IRA / Pension / Other]
Location of Records: [Location]
Real Estate:
Property Address: [Address]
Location of Deed or Loan Records: [Location]
Business Interests:
Business Name: [Name]
Location of Records: [Location]
Other Valuable Property:
[Describe]
7. Insurance and Benefits Information
The following insurance policies or benefit plans may exist:
☐ Life Insurance: [Company / Policy Location]
☐ Health Insurance: [Company / Policy Location]
☐ Long-Term Care Insurance: [Company / Policy Location]
☐ Homeowners or Renters Insurance: [Company / Policy Location]
☐ Auto Insurance: [Company / Policy Location]
☐ Disability Insurance: [Company / Policy Location]
☐ Veterans or Government Benefits: [Details]
☐ Employer Benefits: [Details]
8. Debts, Bills, and Ongoing Obligations
My regular bills, debts, and financial obligations may include:
☐ Mortgage or Rent: [Details]
☐ Utilities: [Details]
☐ Credit Cards: [Details]
☐ Auto Loan: [Details]
☐ Medical Bills: [Details]
☐ Taxes: [Details]
☐ Subscriptions or Memberships: [Details]
☐ Other Obligations: [Details]
Automatic payments or recurring charges are handled through:
[Bank account, card, or payment service details]
9. Digital Assets and Online Information
My digital accounts, devices, and online records may include:
☐ Email accounts
☐ Cloud storage
☐ Social media accounts
☐ Banking or payment apps
☐ Phone or computer passcodes
☐ Digital photos or files
☐ Online business accounts
☐ Other digital property
Location of digital access instructions, password manager, or related records:
[Describe where this information is stored]
Any instructions about memorializing, closing, or transferring digital accounts are:
[Insert instructions]
10. Personal Property and Distribution Notes
The following items of personal property are especially important to me:
[Describe jewelry, family heirlooms, collections, artwork, furniture, or other items]
My informal wishes regarding specific items are:
[Describe who should receive which items, if not already addressed in legal documents]
If any wish in this section conflicts with my will, trust, or another legal document, the legal document should control unless applicable law provides otherwise.
11. Funeral, Burial, or Memorial Wishes
My preferences for funeral, memorial, burial, cremation, or related arrangements are:
☐ Burial
☐ Cremation
☐ Donation of remains, if permitted
☐ Religious or cultural service
☐ Private gathering
☐ Public memorial
☐ Other: [Describe]
Additional wishes:
[Music, readings, location, clergy, obituary preferences, or other instructions]
12. Care of Dependents, Pets, or Others
If I am unable to care for dependents, pets, or others who rely on me, I would like the following people contacted:
Name: [Full Name]
Relationship: [Relationship]
Phone Number: [Phone Number]
Instructions for pets, dependents, or ongoing care needs:
[Insert instructions]
13. Final Personal Notes
The following personal guidance, family message, or practical note may be helpful:
[Insert message]
I may also want the following people notified:
[Name and contact information]
14. Storage and Update Information
This Letter of Instruction is stored at:
[Location]
Copies have been shared with:
[Names or write “None”]
This document should be reviewed and updated whenever my contact information, accounts, family situation, or wishes change.
15. Signature
Signature: __________________________
Name: [Full Name]
Date: [Date]
16. Optional Witness or Acknowledgment
Witness or Acknowledgment, if desired:
Signature: __________________________
Name: [Full Name]
Role: [Witness / Advisor / Other]
Date: [Date]
