What is a Letter of Wishes and do I need one?
What is a Letter of Wishes and is it worth it?
When putting a Will in place, many clients focus purely on who gets what.
But there is another powerful document that can sit alongside your Will — one that gives your family guidance, clarity and reassurance at an emotional time.
It’s called a Letter of Wishes.
So what is it — and is it really worth having?
What Is a Letter of Wishes?
A Letter of Wishes is a written document that accompanies your Will.
Unlike your Will, it is not legally binding. Instead, it provides guidance to:
Your executors
Your trustees
Your guardians
It explains your intentions, preferences and reasoning behind the decisions in your Will.
Think of it as the personal voice behind the legal document.
Why Isn’t It Included in the Will?
A Will is a formal legal document. Once signed, it should not be altered casually.
A Letter of Wishes, however:
Can be updated at any time
Does not require witnesses
Remains private
Is not usually submitted to the Probate Registry
This flexibility makes it ideal for recording guidance that may change over time.
When Is a Letter of Wishes Particularly Useful?
1️⃣ If You Have a Trust in Your Will
If your Will includes a discretionary trust, a life interest trust, or a property protection trust, trustees often have discretion about how and when funds are distributed.
Your Letter of Wishes can explain:
Who you would like to benefit first
When funds should be advanced
Your reasoning behind unequal gifts
How you would like property to be used
This guidance can prevent misunderstandings and family disputes.
2️⃣ Blended Families
In second marriages or blended family situations, a Letter of Wishes can clarify:
Why certain children receive specific assets
How you hope your spouse and children will be treated
Your long-term intentions
While not binding, it can provide reassurance and reduce tension.
3️⃣ Guardianship Guidance
If you appoint guardians for minor children, your Letter of Wishes can outline:
Your values and hopes for your children
Education preferences
Religious or cultural considerations
Financial guidance for trustees
It gives context that a formal Will simply cannot.
4️⃣ Funeral Wishes
Although funeral wishes can be included in a Will, they are often better placed in a Letter of Wishes because:
Wills are sometimes not read until after funeral arrangements have begun
Preferences can change
It avoids the need to update the Will formally
Does a Letter of Wishes Have Legal Weight?
While it is not legally binding, trustees and executors are expected to consider it carefully.
In practice, it carries significant influence — particularly where it provides clear and sensible guidance.
However, it cannot override the terms of your Will.
Is It Worth It?
In short — yes, in many cases.
A Letter of Wishes is particularly worthwhile if:
You have any form of trust in your Will
You are treating beneficiaries differently
You have young children
You want to explain your reasoning
You want flexibility without rewriting your Will
It provides clarity without complexity.
The Key Difference
Your Will sets out the legal framework.
Your Letter of Wishes explains the human reasoning behind it.
Together, they create a far stronger estate plan.
Final Thoughts
At Secure Wills, we often recommend a Letter of Wishes as part of a well-structured estate plan — especially where families are more complex or where trusts are involved.
It costs very little to put in place, but it can prevent confusion, conflict and heartache in the future.
If you would like to explore whether a Letter of Wishes would benefit your situation, we would be happy to guide you through it in clear and practical terms.
