• Home
  • Magazine
    • Where to Find Us
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
  • Archives
  • The Team
  • Media Kit
  • Blog
  • Aroundabout Local Media
  • Subscribe

TowneLaker

Your Community. Your Magazine.

  • 2022 Readers’ Choice Winners
  • Best for Bridal 2023
    • Best for Bridal Promotional Opportunites
  • Calendar
  • Share with Us
    • Submit Photos
    • Submit Events
    • Lost & Found Pets
  • Advertise with Us
    • Ad Testimonial Form
  • Get Connected
    • Community Phone Numbers
    • Clubs and Organizations
    • Community of Faith
    • Schools

facebook instagram

Put It in a Letter

August 28, 2019

Actor Lee Marvin once said, “As soon as people see my face on a movie screen, they [know] two things: First, I’m not going to get the girl, and second, I’ll get a cheap funeral before the picture is over.”1

Most people don’t spend too much time thinking about their own funeral, and, yet, many of us have a vision about our memorial service or the handling of our remains. Express your wishes. A letter of instruction can help you accomplish that goal.

A letter of instruction is not a legal document; it’s a letter written by you that provides additional, more personal information regarding your estate. It can be addressed to whomever you choose, but, typically, letters of instruction are directed to the executor, family members or beneficiaries.

Make a Cheat Sheet. Think of a letter of instruction as a cheat sheet to your estate. Here are a few ideas and concepts that may be included:

  • The location of important legal documents, such as your will, insurance policies, titles to automobiles, deeds to property, etc.
  • A list of financial assets, including savings and checking accounts, stocks, bonds, and retirement accounts. Be sure to include account numbers, PINs and passwords where applicable.
  • A list of pensions or profit-sharing plans, including the location of their explanatory booklets.
  • The location of your latest tax return and Social Security statements.
  • The location of any safe deposit boxes and their keys.
  • Information on your social media accounts and how they can be accessed.

Identify Funeral Wishes. A letter of instruction is also a good place to leave burial or cremation wishes. You should consider giving the location of your cemetery plot deed, if you have one. You may wish to specify which hymns or speakers you would like included in your memorial service. Although a letter of instruction is not legally binding, your heirs probably will be glad to know how you would like to be remembered. It also may be helpful to leave a list of contact information for people who should be notified in the event of your death.

There is no best way to write a letter of instruction. It can be written in your style and reflect your personality, or it can be written to simply convey information. You should decide what type of letter best fits your estate strategy.


Securities offered through registered representatives of Cambridge Investment Research Inc., a broker-dealer, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services through Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc., a registered investment adviser. Cambridge is not affiliated with and does not endorse the opinions or services of Peter Montoya Inc. or MarketingPro Inc.

This material was prepared by MarketingPro Inc., and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting party, nor their affiliates. This information has been derived from sources believed to be accurate. Please note: Investing involves risk, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. The publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional services. If assistance is needed, the reader is advised to engage the services of a competent professional. This information should not be construed as investment, tax or legal advice and may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalty. This is neither a solicitation nor a recommendation to purchase or sell any investment or insurance product or service, and should not be relied upon as such. All indices are unmanaged and are not illustrative of any particular investment.

Citations.
1 – brainyquote.com/quotes/lee_marvin_319132 [5/7/19]

– Don Akridge, MBA, CFP, CPA/PFS, U.S. Marine Corps veteran,Emory University alumnus

 

 

Filed Under: Secondary

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Read Our Most Recent Issue

Sign up to receive a digital copy of this magazine

See our other titles

Around Cherokee: The Story of our County & Its Cities

Blog

When the Law Fell Silent

Annual GYN Visits Important at Any Age

Seeds: An Offer Too Good to Refuse!

4 Ways to Elevate Your Year With Service

A Message From the Mayor

© Copyright 2023 TowneLaker