Can I Include a Letter to My Survivors in My Will?

Your will is a formal legal document that is read and accepted to probate when you pass away.

It details important instructions about what you want to happen with your estate, such as who will receive assets you have left behind and who should be appointed as executor of your estate or guardian of your minor children.

Writing a will handles many of the most important legal tasks regarding the close out of your estate, but you might find that you may wish to create an additional letter to provide with your will to:

  • Explain any disparities in asset transfer
  • Explain why you are giving certain pieces of property to certain people
  • Express wishes about how they should care for your pets
  • Include details, passwords, or account information for your digital accounts
  • Determine how shared gifts should be divided
  • Express sentiments about a beneficiary
  • Leave behind a statement about your values, beliefs, or personal experiences

A letter that accompanies your will can help you to express thoughts to those who survive you. While this doesn’t have a legal impact as part of your will, this can help to explain why you made the decisions that you did and can be helpful for your loved ones to read as they process the emotions surrounding your passing. If there’s more to say beyond your will, a letter can incorporate those concerns.

Set aside time to speak with an experienced estate planning lawyer to discuss a strategy for notifying your loved ones about things you wish to live on beyond you. At our Pasadena estate planning law offices, we care about helping you craft both the big picture and the small details of your estate plan.

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