For Peace of Mind: Volume 8 - Possibilities…

Making your final wishes happen

Preparing a letter of instruction will ease the burden on those left behind

We all know the importance of making a will and appointing enduring powers of attorney to legally take care of our medical
treatment and financial affairs. However, even after these are prepared there is still much information your family and executor needs to know to ensure they won’t be forced to second-guess your final wishes. Writing a letter of instruction to your spouse, children or executor is a practical and effective way of communicating your final wishes and conveying important information they need to know. Here are some points to consider including in your letter of instruction

ADVANCE DIRECTIVE
An advance directive is a document expressing your wishes for personal care as well as the medical treatment you wish to receive, or refuse, should you become unable to express those views. Sometimes referred to as a Living Will, an advance directive is created while a person is competent to make these decisions. While not legally binding in all states, a directive may still be valid under common law. If the directive’s content is consistent, current and up-to-date, then medical rofessionals are encouraged to respect your stipulated wishes.

FUNERAL & BURIAL ARRANGEMENT
Give your family specific information about where you want to be buried, your preferred funeral director, what style of funeral you prefer and perhaps even your preferred price range. Include information about any arrangements you have made to prepay or pre-arrange your funeral. If you like the idea of a celebratory wake, mention this in your letter of instruction along with details about the venue and catering you prefer.

EULOGY
Specify who you want to deliver your eulogy and whether it should be long and formal, or short and quirky. Consider providing information about yourself to assist the person writing the eulogy. If you choose to write your own eulogy, nominate someone to deliver it for you and include a typed copy of the eulogy with your letter of instruction.

ORGAN DONATION
Include details about your desire to donate your organs or tissues and arrangements you have made for donation. If you do not want to donate your organs or tissues, clearly state this in your letter of instruction.

MEDICAL INFORMATION
In the case of illness, it will assist others to act quickly and in your best interests if you provide the contact details of your doctor, dentist, medical specialist, optometrist, natural therapist, etc.

IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
Finding someone else’s important documents can be a difficult and time consuming task, so record the location of important documents, such as your will, powers of attorney, property titles, birth/adoption/death/marriage/ migration certificates, banking and financial documents, burial plot, funeral bond plan, car registration, insurance policies, passport and driver’s licence. Ideally, keep these documents in the one location. If your documents and valuables are stored in a safe-deposit box, provide information about the location of that box.

PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL CONTACTS
There will be people you’d like notified, however, your family may not know who they are or how to contact them– especially if they live interstate or overseas. These may be members of civic, voluntary, political, charitable, military, sporting or recreational groups as well as former work colleagues or simply people you’ve known during your life, like neighbours.
Add an explanatory note about your relationship with those people and why they should be notified.

TRIBUTE LETTERS
Many people will have influenced your life over the years and they will appreciate a letter or note from you contribution to your life. Such letters support people during their grief and are a lasting reminder of you.

VALUABLES
If you have furniture, jewellery, antiques or other items you’d like particular people to inherit, include a list and/or photographs of these items with your letter to ensure these items go to the people you intend.

LEGAL & FINANCIAL INFORMATION
To assist others to finalise your estate, provide the contact details of your solicitor, accountant, financial planner, business or investment adviser, property manager, etc. Also include detailed information about your finances including your investments,
superannuation, online banking or share trading accounts, mortgages, life insurance, family trusts, social security and veteran affairs entitlements.

REGULAR COMMITMENTS
People will be concerned if you fail to show for a regular activity, such as volunteer work, exercise group, sport or church,so include details about your regular activities. Your executor and family will also appreciate knowing about any periodic
payments and subscriptions that need to be cancelled, such as newspapers, magazines and cable television.

COPIES OF YOUR LETTER
Once you’ve prepared, signed and dated your letter of instruction, it’s a good idea to meet with your family to discuss the contents and give them a copy. This will give them the opportunity to clarify any points and be assured that you have carefully
considered each of the points included in your letter.

Don’t leave the only copy of your letter with your solicitor where it may not be accessed in time to ensure your immediate final wishes are carried out. Once you’ve made your final wishes known, don’t sit back and rest on your laurels. It's important to review these instructions on a regular basis to ensure your wishes remain up-to-date and relevant.

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• Email: info@forpeaceofmind.com.au