Letter of Last Instruction
“A letter of last instructions isn’t a will or a substitute for a will. It is a detailed list of everything a survivor needs to know in order to handle your personal finances should anything happen to you. Without one, you or your loved ones might have to spend months–and perhaps hundreds of dollars–locating bank accounts, safe-deposit boxes, and other particulars of your financial life. People often put off writing the letter. It is–quite frankly–a big job of organizing and detail gathering.” (https://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/factsheet/FL_FF-19.pdf)
The LLI covers other issues as well. Here are the main concerns
- Burial wishes (cremation/burial, location) and funeral arrangements. You could also address your DNR wishes and organ donation.
- Assets and dispersal (minimum 5 items, or more….)
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- Personal statement
“Knowing where these items are located will make it easier and less stressful for your family to settle your estate when you are gone. The grief experienced by surviving relatives only becomes more difficult to manage when important information, some of which is needed almost immediately, is misplaced. Providing instant access to a document may prove vital to insure that certain, essential instructions are carried out as planned.” https://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/factsheet/FL_FF-19.pdf
