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CIS 958A letter of last instruction:Everybody needs oneA letter of last instruction is an organized wayfor you to give your family all the facts about yourfinances—and have a basic tool for your ownmoney management.A letter isn’t a will or a substitute for one. A willis a legal document telling an executor how to dispose of property and personal effects. Attorneysdescribe the letter as a personal document, usuallywritten to a member of the family.The letter does two big jobs:1. It outlines the location of all your importantpapers; and2. It contains information about your personal desires—how you would like your personal affairshandled when you die or are incapacitated.People often put off writing the letter. It is,frankly, a big job of organizing and detail gathering. The worksheet pages in this publication arefor you to fill in, as applicable. The worksheet canserve as a model for writing a complete and orderly letter of last instruction.You should write the letter to the person mostlikely to take over your accounts. Generally, thismeans you would address the letter to yourspouse, adult child, or other relative or to yourattorney or other executor. You may choose to goover the letter with a family member or closefriend. Couples can prepare the letter together.TopicSection no.Attorney. 2Cemetery information . 22Checking accounts . 5Credit cards. 11Doctors/physicians. 17Durable power of attorney . 3First things to do . 2Funeral preferences. 23House. 16You probably won’t be able to write the letterall at once. Try tackling it one section at a time,allowing yourself a month or so to complete it. Theobject is to get as much detail down on paper asyou possibly can.Some additional pointers: While it is usually addressed to a spouse or relative, the letter should also be clear to any thirdperson who may have to find and work withyour papers. Be specific about locations—“in my safe depositbox’’ or “in the bottom left-hand drawer of mydesk’’ or “in the blue file of the basement filecabinet.’’ If you have certain special wishes, for instanceabout the education of your children or the careof your pet, be sure to add these sections to theworksheet. You can use the worksheet as a checklist or fillin the blanks. Consider attaching copies of documents you reference.Once your letter is complete, make several copies of it. Send one to your attorney or executor,clip another to your copy of your will, and keepone copy in the place your family would look first.Update your letter periodically. This is much easierthan writing the first letter.TopicSection no.Income tax returns . 14Investments . 13Lease. 16Life insurance . 8Living will . 3Loans. 12Money you can expect . 1Other insurance(homeowner’s and auto). 9People to inform . 181 StationCooperative Extension System o Agricultural ExperimentTopicSection no.Personal effects. 19Personal papers . 3Pets. 20Safe deposit box. 7Savings accountsand certificates of deposit . 4Social Security. 1,6Special wishes. 21Veterans’ benefits . 1,16Warranties . 15

1 Money you can expectFrom my employerName of employerPerson to contactPhoneLife insuranceProfit sharingAccident insurancePension planThrift saving planUnused annual and sick leaveOther employee benefitsFrom insurance companiesName of companyPerson to contactPhoneTotal amountName of companyPerson to contactPhoneTotal amountName of companyPerson to contactPhoneTotal amountFrom Social Security (1-800-772-1213)Lump sum (if eligible)Monthly benefitYesNo————————From Veterans’ Administration(You must contact VA to receive benefits)From other sources2

2First things to doCall friend, neighbor, or relative (name)(phone)Notify my employer (name)(phone)Call my attorney (name)(phone)Make arrangements with funeral home(see section 22)Request several certified copies of the death certificate.Contact Social Security office.Get and process insurance policies.Notify bank that holds home mortgage.Location of personal papersWrite in the locations of the following personal papers. Cross out the items that do not apply to you.Birth and baptismal certificatesCommunion and confirmation certificatesDivorce decreeDurable power of attorneyInventory of personal propertyInventory of contents of safe deposit boxLast will and testamentLiving willMarriage certificateMilitary recordsNaturalization papersSchool diplomasOther (adoption papers, etc.)33

4 Savings accounts and certificates of depositFill in the following information for each account.BankAddressType of accountName(s) on accountType of ownershipAccount numberLocation of passbookAny special instructionsBankAddressType of accountName(s) on accountType of ownershipAccount numberLocation of passbookAny special instructions5 Checking accountsFill in the following information for each account.BankAddressType of accountName(s) on accountType of ownershipAccount numberLocation of canceled checks and statementsAny special instructions4

6Social SecuritySocial Security numberLocation of cardOther names under which you hadSocial Security earnings reported7Safe deposit boxBankAddressBox numberIn whose name(s)Location of key(s)Location of a list of contents(or attach a list of contents to this letter)8Life insuranceFill in the information below for each policy.Location of all policiesTo collect benefits, a certified copy of the death certificate may be required by each company.Policy numberWhose life is insuredCompanyCompany addressName of agentKind of policyBeneficiaryCash valueIssue dateMaturity dateHow it is paid outOther payout options5

9 Other insuranceAccident insuranceCoverageCompanyAddressPolicy numberBeneficiaryLocation of policyAgent, if anyAuto insuranceCoverageCompanyAddressPolicy numberLocation of policyTerm (when to renew)Agent, if anyHomeowner’s insuranceCoverageCompanyAddressPolicy numberLocation of policyTerm (when to renew)Agent, if any6

Other insurance (cont’d)9Medical insuranceCoverageCompanyAddressPolicy numberLocation of policyTerm (when to renew)Agent, if anyMortgage insuranceCompanyAddressPolicy numberLocation of policy10CarFill in the following information for each car.Year, make, and modelBody typeLicense numberIdentification numberLocation of titleYear, make, and modelBody typeLicense numberIdentification numberLocation of title7

11 Credit cardsAll credit cards should be canceled or converted to the name remaining on joint accounts.Location of cardsFill in the following information for each card.CompanyPhoneName(s) on cardAccount numberCompanyPhoneName(s) on cardAccount numberCompanyPhoneName(s) on cardAccount numberCompanyPhoneName(s) on cardAccount numberCompanyPhoneName(s) on cardAccount number8

Loans outstanding (other than mortgage)Fill in the following information for each loan.Bank or mortgage holding companyAddressName(s) on loanAccount numberMonthly paymentLocation of papersCollateral, if anyLife insurance on loanYes NoBank or mortgage holding companyAddressName(s) on loanAccount numberMonthly paymentLocation of papersCollateral, if anyLife insurance on loanYes NoBank or mortgage holding companyAddressName(s) on loanAccount numberMonthly paymentLocation of papersCollateral, if anyLife insurance on loanYes No912

13 InvestmentsFill in the following information for each investment.StocksCompanyName on certificate(s)Number of sharesCertificate number(s)Purchase price and dateLocation of certificatesCompanyName on certificate(s)Number of sharesCertificate number(s)Purchase price and dateLocation of certificatesBonds/notes/billsIssuerIssued toFace amountBond numberPurchase price and dateMaturity dateLocation of certificateIssuerIssued toFace amountBond numberPurchase price and dateMaturity dateLocation of certificate10

14Income tax returnsLocation of all previous returns (federal, state, local)Name of tax preparerAddressPhoneImportant warranties, receiptsNames of items and locations of documents15House, condominium, cooperativeIn whose name(s)AddressLotBlock On map calledOther descriptionsThe attorney at closingLocation of statement of closing, policy of titleinsurance, deed, land survey, appraisal,inspection, etc.MortgageHeld byAmount of original mortgageDate mortgage taken outAmount owed nowMethod of paymentLocation of paymentLife insurance on mortgageYesNo1116

16 House, condominium, cooperative (cont’d)Veterans’ exemption claimLocation of documentation papersAnnual amountContact local tax assessor for documentation needed or more information.Property taxesAmountLocation of receiptsCost of houseInitial buying pricePurchase closing feeOther costs to buy (real estate agent,legal fees, etc.)Improvements as of total Itemized house improvementsImprovementCostLocation of billsIf rentingLeaseLease expires (date)Landlord’s nameLandlord’s phone numberYesNo12

ssPhonePediatricianNameAddressPhoneChildren’s 13

18 Relatives, friends to ne14

19Personal effectsI would like certain people to be given these personal neSpecial dietary needsPerson(s) who will care for pet(s)NameAddressPhoneNameAddressPhone21Special wishes15

22 Cemetery and funeralCemetery plotLocationWhen purchasedDeed numberLocation of deedChoice of location to be buriedFacts for funeral directorThis information and cemetery plot deed should be given to funeral director.My full nameResidenceMarital statusSpouseDate of birthFather’s name and birthplaceMother’s maiden nameLength of residence in stateMilitary serviceYes NoSocial Security numberBirthplaceIn USAWhen23 Funeral preferencesMy choice of funeral home (if any)Type of funeral preferredOther (cremation or other instructions)The author—Linda K. Fox, former Extensionfamily economics specialist, Margaret RitchieSchool of Home Economics, University of Idaho,Moscow.Acknowledgment—The author gratefully acknowledges input provided by Marsha Goetting,Montana State University; Darlene Moss, University of Idaho; and Diane Schmerbauch, University of Idaho.Updated(today’s date)Issued in furtherance of cooperative extension work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914,in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, LeRoy D. Luft, Director of Cooperative Extension System,University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho 83843. We offer educational programs, activities, and materials without regardto race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, or disability, in accordance with state and federal laws.2,000 9-9275 cents16

describe the letter as a personal document, usually written to a member of the family. The letter does two big jobs: 1. It outlines the location of all your important papers; and 2. It contains information about your personal de-sires—how you would like your personal affairs handled when you die or are incapacitated. People often put off writing the letter. It is, frankly, a big job of .