What information will your family need when you pass away? While a Will provides important legal instructions, there are many practical details that your family may need to manage in the days and weeks after your death.
Things like finding important documents, locating keys, contacting advisers and managing household matters can become stressful if nobody knows where to look.
A Letter of Wishes can provide a helpful place to record this practical information and make things easier for the people handling your affairs.
Why leave practical information for your family?
After someone dies, families often need to organise many things quickly.
They may need to:
- Locate important documents
- Contact your solicitor, accountant or financial adviser
- Find keys for your home, vehicle or safe
- Understand household arrangements
- Locate important items
- Notify important people
Even simple details that seem obvious to you may not be obvious to someone else.
Writing these things down can save your family time, confusion and unnecessary stress.
What practical information should you include?
The information you include will depend on your circumstances, but a useful starting point is anything that would help someone manage your affairs.
Where important documents are kept
Many people have important documents stored in different places.
Consider noting the location of:
- Your Will
- Your Letter of Wishes
- Property documents
- Insurance policies
- Financial records
- Tax documents
- Superannuation information
- Personal records
You do not necessarily need to include copies of everything. Simply explaining where important documents can be found can be extremely helpful.
Where keys and access information are located
Small practical details can become surprisingly difficult to work out.
You may wish to record information about:
- House keys
- Spare keys
- Vehicle keys
- Garage remotes
- Security codes
- Safe locations
- Storage units
- Other locked areas
For security reasons, avoid recording sensitive access codes in places that may not be protected. Instead, provide guidance about where this information can be found.
Important contacts
Your family may need to contact people who help manage different parts of your life.
Useful contacts may include:
- Your solicitor
- Accountant
- Financial adviser
- Insurance providers
- Employer or business contacts
- Property managers
- Important personal contacts
Including names and contact details can help your family know where to begin.
Household information
Many everyday details are easy to overlook.
Consider including information about:
- Utility providers
- Regular services
- Maintenance arrangements
- Important household routines
- Where equipment or items are stored
For example, if someone needs to care for your home while your affairs are being managed, knowing these details can make things much easier.
Information about your vehicle and belongings
You may wish to include practical information about important belongings.
This could include:
- Where vehicle documents are kept
- Location of spare keys
- Information about valuable items
- Notes about sentimental belongings
- Guidance about items you would like particular people to receive
A Will may cover major assets, while a Letter of Wishes can provide personal guidance about smaller meaningful items.
Information about pets and dependants
If you have pets or people who rely on your care, practical information can be especially important.
You may wish to include:
- Names and details of pets
- Their routines
- Food preferences
- Veterinary information
- Who you hope will care for them
You can also include wishes about the ongoing care of family members who depend on you.
Should you include passwords and account details?
Generally, it is better not to include passwords, PINs or full account access information in your Letter of Wishes.
Instead, consider recording:
- Where important digital information is stored
- Whether you use a password manager
- Who should be contacted for assistance
- What should happen with your online accounts
Keeping access details secure while providing guidance can help protect your information.
How should you organise your practical checklist?
There is no perfect format. The best checklist is one that your family can understand and use.
Some people prefer a simple written list. Others organise information into categories such as:
- Documents
- Contacts
- Household matters
- Digital accounts
- Belongings
- Pets
- Other important notes
The important thing is that the information is easy to find and easy to understand.
Review your practical information regularly
Practical details change over time.
You may move house, change advisers, buy new belongings or update your systems.
It is worth reviewing your information occasionally, especially after major life changes.
A few minutes spent keeping your details current can make a significant difference for your family later.
Small details can provide big help
Your family will not just need to understand your legal wishes. They may also need to manage the everyday practical matters that come with losing someone.
A simple checklist of documents, contacts, locations and instructions can provide valuable guidance during a difficult period.
The goal is not to prepare a complicated plan. It is simply to leave helpful information for the people who may need it.