This is NOT a will. It doesn't distribute assets or name an executor. It has no legal authority.
This IS the document your executor opens at 10pm the night you die — when they need to find your insurance policy, call your bank, access your email, and figure out what bills are due next week.
A will says WHO gets what. A letter of instruction says WHERE everything is, HOW to access it, and WHAT needs to happen immediately.
"Your will sits in a safe for years. This letter sits on the kitchen table the week you die. It's the most-used document in your entire estate plan."
Section 1: About Me
| Full legal name | ____________________________________________ |
| Date of birth | ____________________________________________ |
| Social Security number | ____________________________________________ |
| Driver's license number + state | ____________________________________________ |
| Home address | ____________________________________________ |
| Phone number | ____________________________________________ |
| Email address | ____________________________________________ |
| Employer | ____________________________________________ |
| Employer phone / HR contact | ____________________________________________ |
| Military status (branch, service dates, discharge) | ____________________________________________ |
| DD-214 location | ____________________________________________ |
Section 2: Important People
My executor / personal representative:
Name: ____________________________________________
Phone: ____________________________________________
Email: ____________________________________________
My backup executor:
Name: ____________________________________________
Phone: ____________________________________________
My attorney:
Name: ____________________________________________
Firm: ____________________________________________
Phone: ____________________________________________
My accountant / CPA:
Name: ____________________________________________
Phone: ____________________________________________
My financial advisor:
Name: ____________________________________________
Firm: ____________________________________________
Phone: ____________________________________________
My insurance agent:
Name: ____________________________________________
Company: ____________________________________________
Phone: ____________________________________________
My doctor:
Name: ____________________________________________
Practice: ____________________________________________
Phone: ____________________________________________
Guardian for my minor children (if applicable):
Name: ____________________________________________
Phone: ____________________________________________
Backup guardian:
Name: ____________________________________________
Phone: ____________________________________________
Section 3: Where to Find My Important Documents
| My will | ____________________________________________ |
| My trust (if applicable) | ____________________________________________ |
| Power of attorney (financial) | ____________________________________________ |
| Power of attorney (healthcare) | ____________________________________________ |
| Advance directive / living will | ____________________________________________ |
| Birth certificate | ____________________________________________ |
| Marriage certificate | ____________________________________________ |
| Divorce decree (if applicable) | ____________________________________________ |
| Social Security card | ____________________________________________ |
| Passport | ____________________________________________ |
| Property deeds | ____________________________________________ |
| Vehicle titles | ____________________________________________ |
| Tax returns (last 7 years) | ____________________________________________ |
| Safe deposit box (location + key) | ____________________________________________ |
| Home safe combination | ____________________________________________ |
Section 4: Financial Accounts
Bank accounts:
| Bank | Account Type | Account Number | Online Login | Checkbook/Cards Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ______________ | ______________ | ______________ | ______________ | ______________ |
| ______________ | ______________ | ______________ | ______________ | ______________ |
| ______________ | ______________ | ______________ | ______________ | ______________ |
Retirement accounts:
| Institution | Account Type (401k/IRA/Roth/Pension) | Account Number | Beneficiary Named |
|---|---|---|---|
| ______________ | ______________ | ______________ | ______________ |
| ______________ | ______________ | ______________ | ______________ |
| ______________ | ______________ | ______________ | ______________ |
Investment / brokerage accounts:
| Institution | Account Number | Beneficiary Named |
|---|---|---|
| ______________ | ______________ | ______________ |
| ______________ | ______________ | ______________ |
Other financial accounts (HSA, 529, etc.):
| Institution | Type | Account Number |
|---|---|---|
| ______________ | ______________ | ______________ |
| ______________ | ______________ | ______________ |
Section 5: Insurance Policies
| Type | Company | Policy Number | Death Benefit | Beneficiary | Agent Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Life insurance | ______________ | ______________ | ______________ | ______________ | ______________ |
| Life insurance (#2) | ______________ | ______________ | ______________ | ______________ | ______________ |
| Final expense | ______________ | ______________ | ______________ | ______________ | ______________ |
| Homeowner's | ______________ | ______________ | — | ______________ | ______________ |
| Auto | ______________ | ______________ | — | ______________ | ______________ |
| Health | ______________ | ______________ | — | ______________ | ______________ |
| Long-term care | ______________ | ______________ | — | ______________ | ______________ |
Section 6: Debts and Obligations
| Creditor | Type | Account Number | Monthly Payment | Balance | Auto-pay? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mortgage: ______________ | ______________ | ______________ | $______________ | $______________ | ☐ Yes☐ No |
| Car loan: ______________ | ______________ | ______________ | $______________ | $______________ | ☐ Yes☐ No |
| Credit card: ______________ | ______________ | ______________ | $______________ | $______________ | ☐ Yes☐ No |
| Credit card: ______________ | ______________ | ______________ | $______________ | $______________ | ☐ Yes☐ No |
| Student loan: ______________ | ______________ | ______________ | $______________ | $______________ | ☐ Yes☐ No |
| Other: ______________ | ______________ | ______________ | $______________ | $______________ | ☐ Yes☐ No |
Section 7: Recurring Bills and Subscriptions
| Service | Provider | Account/Login | Monthly Cost | Auto-pay? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | ______________ | ______________ | $______________ | ☐ Yes☐ No |
| Gas/heating | ______________ | ______________ | $______________ | ☐ Yes☐ No |
| Water/sewer | ______________ | ______________ | $______________ | ☐ Yes☐ No |
| Internet | ______________ | ______________ | $______________ | ☐ Yes☐ No |
| Phone (mobile) | ______________ | ______________ | $______________ | ☐ Yes☐ No |
| Phone (landline) | ______________ | ______________ | $______________ | ☐ Yes☐ No |
| Cable/streaming | ______________ | ______________ | $______________ | ☐ Yes☐ No |
| HOA / condo fees | ______________ | ______________ | $______________ | ☐ Yes☐ No |
| Storage unit | ______________ | ______________ | $______________ | ☐ Yes☐ No |
| Gym/memberships | ______________ | ______________ | $______________ | ☐ Yes☐ No |
| Subscriptions | ______________ | ______________ | $______________ | ☐ Yes☐ No |
Section 8: Digital Accounts and Passwords
⚠️ Security note: This section contains sensitive information. Store this document in a SECURE location — a sealed envelope inside a home safe, or with your attorney. Do NOT leave it in an unlocked drawer.
Primary email:
Email: ____________________________________________
Password: ____________________________________________
Phone PIN / passcode:
____________________________________________
Computer login:
____________________________________________
Password manager (if you use one):
Service: ____________________________________________
Master password: ____________________________________________
(If you use a password manager, your executor only needs THIS one password to access everything.)
Social media accounts:
| Platform | Username/Email | Password | My wishes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ______________ | ______________ | ☐ Memorialize ☐ Delete | |
| ______________ | ______________ | ☐ Memorialize ☐ Delete | |
| X/Twitter | ______________ | ______________ | ☐ Delete ☐ Leave |
| ______________ | ______________ | ☐ Delete ☐ Leave | |
| Other: ______________ | ______________ | ______________ | ______________ |
Other important online accounts:
| Service | Login | Password |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | ______________ | ______________ |
| PayPal/Venmo | ______________ | ______________ |
| Cryptocurrency (exchange + wallet) | ______________ | ______________ |
| Cloud storage (Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox) | ______________ | ______________ |
| Other: ______________ | ______________ | ______________ |
Section 9: Property
Primary residence:
Address: ____________________________________________
☐ Owned☐ Rented
Mortgage company: ____________________________________________
Landlord (if rented): ____________________________________________
Property tax account: ____________________________________________
Spare keys location: ____________________________________________
Other property (vacation home, rental, land):
Address: ____________________________________________
Mortgage/details: ____________________________________________
Vehicles:
| Vehicle | Year/Make/Model | Title location | Loan? | Lender |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car 1 | ______________ | ______________ | ☐ Yes☐ No | ______________ |
| Car 2 | ______________ | ______________ | ☐ Yes☐ No | ______________ |
Section 10: My Funeral Wishes
☐ Burial☐ Cremation☐ No preference — let my family decide
Preferred funeral home: ____________________________________________
Prepaid plan? ☐ Yes (details: ______________) ☐ No
Burial location / cemetery: ____________________________________________
Do I own a plot? ☐ Yes (location: ______________) ☐ No
Casket preference: ☐ Standard☐ Simple/eco-friendly☐ No preference
Viewing/visitation? ☐ Yes☐ No☐ Family decides
Religious service? ☐ Yes (faith/church: ______________) ☐ No☐ Family decides
Specific songs, readings, or poems: ____________________________________________
____________________________________________
Pallbearers (if desired):
1. ____________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________
4. ____________________________________________
5. ____________________________________________
6. ____________________________________________
Obituary instructions: ☐ I've written a draft (location: ______________) ☐ Let my family write it
Flowers: ☐ Yes☐ In lieu of flowers, donate to: ____________________________________________
Military honors (if veteran): ☐ Yes☐ No
Final expense insurance to cover funeral? ☐ Yes (see Section 5)☐ No
Section 11: Personal Messages
"This section is optional — but it may become the most treasured thing your family owns."
To my spouse/partner:
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
To my children:
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
To my executor:
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
Anything else my family should know:
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
Section 12: Where This Document Is Stored
This letter of instruction is stored at:
____________________________________________
People who know where this document is:
1. ____________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________
Date completed: ____________________________________________
Date last updated: ____________________________________________
"Print it. Fill it in with a pen. Store it with your will. Tell ONE person where it is."
How to Use This Template
1. Fill it in NOW — not perfectly.
Don't wait until you have every account number memorized. Fill in what you know today. Add the rest over the next week as you find statements and log into accounts. An 80% complete letter is infinitely better than a 0% complete letter.
2. Store it SECURELY but ACCESSIBLY.
Your executor needs this document within HOURS of your death — not weeks. Don't lock it in a safe deposit box (sealed at death). A sealed envelope in a home safe, with your attorney, or in a known location is ideal. The password section makes security critical — don't leave this in an unlocked drawer.
3. Update it when things change.
New account? Add it. Closed an account? Cross it out. Changed a password? Update the section. Review the entire document every time you update your will (every 3-5 years minimum).
What my family needs to know when I die → · Estate planning checklist →
The Will Covers the Law — This Covers Everything Else
| Your Will Handles | This Letter Handles |
|---|---|
| Who gets the house | Where the deed is |
| Who gets the money | Which bank, which account number |
| Who's the executor | Who the executor should call first |
| Guardian for kids | Emergency contacts for kids |
| Distribution percentages | Where to find the accounts |
| Legal authority | Practical access |
"Your executor can't DO anything with the will if they can't FIND anything. The will is the legal authority. This letter is the practical roadmap."
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a letter of instruction?
A non-legal document that organizes everything your family needs after you die: account numbers, passwords, contacts, insurance policies, funeral wishes, and where important documents are stored. It complements your will — the will has legal authority; the letter has practical information.
Is a letter of instruction legally binding?
No. It has no legal authority and cannot override a will, trust, or beneficiary designation. It's purely practical — a roadmap for your executor and family. But practically, it may be the most USEFUL document in your estate plan.
Where should I store my letter of instruction?
In a sealed envelope in a secure but accessible location — a home safe, with your attorney, or in a known spot at home. Tell your executor and one other trusted person where it is. Because it contains passwords, don't leave it in an unlocked drawer.
How often should I update my letter of instruction?
Whenever something changes: new account, closed account, changed password, new insurance policy, moved. At minimum, review it every time you review your will (every 3-5 years).
What's the difference between a letter of instruction and a will?
A will is a legal document that distributes assets and names an executor — it goes through probate court. A letter of instruction is a personal document that tells your family WHERE things are and HOW to access them. You need both.