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Home >> Port St. Lucie Estate Planning Attorneys Explain a Letter of Instruction

Port St. Lucie Estate Planning Attorneys Explain a Letter of Instruction

June 25, 2018 by Robert Kulas.

IMG 0921 300x200The estate plan that you create, and add to, over the course of your lifetime is intended to protect you, your assets, and your loved ones as well as ensure that your loved ones are adequately provided for after you are gone. A well thought out and comprehensive estate plan will include a wide range of inter-related tools and strategies that work together in harmony to achieve all of your estate planning goals. Despite the numerous and varied estate planning documents that are available to include in your plan, you may find that there is additional information and/or directions you wish to leave for your loved ones that do not seem to have a place in any of those documents. The Port St. Lucie estate planning attorneys at Kulas & Crawford explain how a Letter of Instruction can solve your problem.

Estate Planning Tools

A comprehensive estate plan will typically include a number of documents, starting with a Last Will and Testament that allows you to appoint an Executor for your estate, gift assets, and nominate a Guardian for minor children. You might also include a trust into which you transfer assets and that can serve a variety of purposes. A Power of Attorney lets you grant an Agent the authority to act on your behalf in legal matters while an advance directive can specifically grant an Agent the ability to make healthcare decisions for you if you cannot make them yourself. All of these estate planning documents are essential pieces of the puzzle you put together in an effort to protect yourself, your assets, and your loved ones. While each of these documents is tailored to help achieve a specific estate planning goal, you may find that you have additional information you wish to include in your plan that simply doesn’t fit in any of the documents. That is where a Letter of Instruction comes in handy.

What Is a Letter of Instruction?

As the name implies, a Letter of Instruction is a document that you may include in your estate plan that provides instructions not found elsewhere in your plan. A Letter of Instruction, however, can also be used for other similar purposes. Anything you choose to include in your Letter of Instructions is not legally binding on anyone; however, the information you include can be crucial to your overall plan. Some common uses for a Letter of Instruction include:

  • Provide the location of important estate planning documents, such as your Will, life insurance policies, or a trust agreement.
  • Provide a summary of all assets you own along with account numbers and/or online log in instructions to access the accounts.
  • Names and contact information for people that need to be contacted after your death.
  • Instructions for maintaining assets. This could be as simple as how to winterize your vacation cottage or how to value your rare coin collection.
  • Explanations for controversial decisions you made within your estate plan. For example, if you gave a large donation to a charity or disinherited a child, this is your opportunity to explain why you did what you did.
  • Express your wishes with regard to your funeral and burial. Ideally, you included a funeral component in your estate plan; however, you may wish to add details to ensure that your wishes are honored.

Why Include a Letter of Instruction?

Although the instructions you include in a Letter of Instruction are not legally binding, they can go a long way toward assisting with the probate of your estate and even preventing litigation. Anything you can do to make your Executor’s job easier will ultimately benefit your loved ones. Moreover, if any of the terms of your estate plan are likely to cause conflict or animosity, explaining why you included those terms can deter litigation, or assist your Executor to defend your wishes if litigation cannot be avoided.

Contact Port St. Lucie Estate Planning Attorneys

Please take a moment to download our FREE solid estate plan checklist. If you have additional questions or concerns about including a Letter of Instruction in your overall estate plan, contact the experienced Port St. Lucie estate planning attorneys at Kulas & Crawford by calling (772) 398-0720 to schedule an appointment.

Filed Under: Estate Planning

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I have known Robert Kulas for 20 years since I was co-executor for friends who had Mr. Kulas prepare a Trust for them. When I felt I needed a trust also, I came to him. I have always been completed satisfied with his work and that of his charming, competent staff.

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Mr. Kulas and his staff have been extremely helpful & knowledgeable for the over 3 years we have been associated. They are easy to talk to and explain everything without feeling rushed. Very competent and professional.

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I have worked with Mr. Kulas & staff before. And they are very professional. I am very satisfied with Mr. Kulas and his staff and give them the highest satisfaction and 5 star rating.

~Leo C
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Robert Kulas and staff made making a will an easy to understand process. They were very knowledgeable and attentive to my wishes. All my documents were provided in an organized binder which will be a great asset to my family. I would definitely recommend them.

~Krissy L
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August 25, 2020
    

Everyone treated us extremely well.  Robert explained how a trust works and the benefits of having one.  We decided to move forward and complete the process.  He was very kind and knowledgeable.  Julie was also very helpful and very patient with our questions.  We felt very comfortable with this firm handling our affairs.  We would highly recommend this firm to our friends and family.

~Janice M
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

"Everyone treated us extremely well.  Robert explained how a trust works and the benefits of having one.  We decided to move forward and complete the process.  He was very kind and knowledgeable.  Julie was also very helpful and very patient with our questions.  We felt very comfortable with this firm handling our affairs.  We would highly recommend this firm to our friends and family."

Janice M
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

Robert Kulas and staff made making a will an easy to understand process. They were very knowledgeable and attentive to my wishes. All my documents were provided in an organized binder which will be a great asset to my family. I would definitely recommend them.

Krissy L.
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

I have worked with Mr. Kulas & staff before. And they are very professional. I am very satisfied with Mr. Kulas and his staff and give them the highest satisfaction and 5 star rating.

Leo C.
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

Mr. Kulas and his staff have been extremely helpful & knowledgeable for the over 3 years we have been associated. They are easy to talk to and explain everything without feeling rushed. Very competent and professional.

Mildred W.
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

I have known Robert Kulas for 20 years since I was co-executor for friends who had Mr. Kulas prepare a Trust for them. When I felt I needed a trust also, I came to him. I have always been completed satisfied with his work and that of his charming, competent staff.

Joan C.
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

We began our estate plan process in 2004 (12 years ago) and have been pleased with the periodic reviews we have gone through and when changes have been needed the firm has been thorough and professional in making those changes.

L.G.K.
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