A letter of intent is a personal document that complements the legal pieces of your estate plan. While it’s not legally binding, it can be one of the most meaningful parts of your planning. This letter gives you a chance to speak in your own voice, share personal wishes, and provide thoughtful context that helps your family feel guided through difficult times.
Why a Letter of Intent Matters
Even the most carefully written will or trust can leave loved ones unsure of your intent. A letter of intent fills in the gaps. It helps your family understand not just what you wanted done, but why.
We often suggest this document to our clients, regardless of the size of their estates. It can:
- Provide guidance to your personal representative or trustee.
- Clarify personal decisions that might otherwise be misunderstood.
- Reduce family tension by offering thoughtful explanations.
- Be updated at any time, since no legal filing is required.
It’s a flexible and thoughtful tool that can bring comfort, clarity, and peace of mind to the people you care about most.
What to Include in a Letter of Intent
Every letter of intent is unique, but most follow similar themes. Here are several areas worth considering:
Instructions for Children’s Care
Go beyond naming a guardian. Use this document to share your hopes for how your children should be raised.
You might include:
- Your hopes for their education, religious upbringing, or extracurricular activities.
- Daily routines, educational goals, and religious values.
- Lists of trusted adults you hope will stay involved.
Even if you’ve had these conversations before, putting them in writing helps preserve your voice and intent.
Special Needs or Vulnerable Family Members
If you care for someone with special needs, this becomes even more important. They may rely on a specific daily structure or have benefits that could be impacted by certain types of gifts.
Include details like:
- Medical conditions, allergies, and preferred treatments.
- Contacts for doctors, specialists, or therapists.
- Public benefits they receive (such as SSI or Medicaid).
- Personality insights: likes, dislikes, fears, and comforts.
This kind of guidance can be invaluable to future caregivers.
Personal Property and Sentimental Items
Items like jewelry, heirlooms, or photo albums may not have significant monetary value, but they can hold deep emotional meaning. If you would like to explain who should receive them and why, this is the place to do it.
Your reasoning can go a long way toward avoiding disputes. Often, conflicts arise not from the item itself, but from the emotion attached to it.
Funeral and Memorial Preferences
Many people have strong feelings about what happens after they pass. While you can include basic instructions in a will, a letter of intent allows you to be more detailed and expressive.
You can share:
- Burial vs. cremation preferences.
- Music, readings, or traditions you’d like honored.
- Names of people to notify or charities to support in your memory.
Providing this information in advance can help your loved ones feel confident in honoring your legacy.
Digital Assets and Passwords
In today’s world, your online presence matters. Be sure to include:
- Locations of digital accounts and devices.
- Where passwords and logins are stored, or how to access them.
This makes it much easier for loved ones to close accounts or preserve memories without added stress.
Financial Points of Contact
You can use your letter to point your loved ones toward helpful people and documents. Consider listing:
- Your financial advisor, CPA, or insurance agent.
- The location of important records, like your will, trust, birth certificate, and account statements.
- Any outstanding debts or financial responsibilities.
This can simplify the process during a time that’s already difficult.
Pet Care Wishes
If you have pets, include details like feeding routines, preferred vets, and grooming schedules. You can also name a caregiver and express gratitude or share special instructions. Even a short note can make a difference in helping your pets feel safe and loved.
How a Letter of Intent Helps Your Family
A letter of intent helps reduce confusion and emotional strain. It provides guidance when legal documents don’t offer enough context and helps your family carry out your wishes with confidence.
It also gives you space to explain decisions that may otherwise be questioned, such as an uneven distribution of assets or a decision to exclude someone. Your words can soften the impact and preserve family harmony.
Most of all, your letter of intent is a way to be remembered, not just for what you left, but for the thought you put into it.
Ready to Add a Letter of Intent to Your Estate Plan?
You don’t need to wait until every detail is finalized. A letter of intent can be started now and updated as life changes. We’ll help you make sure it complements your legal documents and accurately reflects your true wishes.
Contact Surprenant, Beneski & Nunes, P.C., to get started on a thoughtful, personalized estate plan that speaks clearly to your loved ones, even when you can’t.