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Estate Planning

Letter of Wishes

A Letter of Wishes sits alongside your Will, providing additional guidance to your executors and trustees about your personal preferences.

What Is a Letter of Wishes?

A Letter of Wishes is a personal document that supplements your Will. While not legally binding, it provides invaluable guidance to your executors and trustees about how you would like certain aspects of your estate to be handled. It is the place to record the details that do not belong in a formal Will — from who should receive personal items with sentimental value, to your preferences for funeral arrangements, to guidance on how trust funds for children should be managed. At Barrett-Smith & Doulton, we help you create a comprehensive Letter of Wishes that complements your Will and ensures your executors understand not just what you want, but why.

Why You Need a Letter of Wishes

  • Provides guidance on distributing personal possessions with sentimental value
  • Records your funeral and burial preferences in detail
  • Gives trustees guidance on how to manage trust funds for beneficiaries
  • Can explain the reasoning behind decisions in your Will
  • Easily updated without the formality and cost of changing your Will
  • Helps prevent family disagreements by making your wishes clear

What's Included

  • A detailed consultation to capture your personal wishes and preferences
  • Professional drafting of a clear, comprehensive Letter of Wishes
  • Guidance on what to include and how to express your intentions
  • Integration with your existing or new Will
  • Review meeting to ensure everything is captured accurately
  • A copy for your records and guidance on sharing with executors

Transparent Pricing

Letter of Wishes from £99 | Included free with Will packages

No hidden fees. All prices include a free initial consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, a Letter of Wishes is not legally binding. However, executors and trustees will take it seriously and use it as guidance. It is an important complement to your Will that helps ensure your personal preferences are understood and respected.
Common items include funeral preferences, distribution of personal items (jewellery, photographs, family heirlooms), guidance for trustees on managing funds for children, messages to loved ones, and any other personal wishes you want your executors to consider.
Yes — and this is one of its great advantages. Unlike a Will, a Letter of Wishes can be easily updated at any time without formal witnesses or legal processes. We recommend reviewing it alongside your Will periodically.
While a Letter of Wishes works best alongside a Will, it can be a standalone document. However, we strongly recommend having a valid Will in place first, as the Letter of Wishes is designed to complement and expand upon it.

Ready to Record Your Wishes?

Book your free, no-obligation consultation today. We will visit you at home or connect by video call — at a time that suits you.