Free Letter of Last Instructions - Montana

Letter of Last Instructions
by Marsha A. Goetting, Ph.D., CFP®, CFCS , Professor and Family Economics Specialist and Raeann Pourroy, former Pondera County Extension Agent

This publication explains information that should be included in a letter of last instructions to assist survivors after your death MT198904 HR reviewed 6/2005

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veryone should write a will. If you are wise, however, you will do even more. You should give your lawyer, your personal representative, or your spouse a letter of last instructions, which is separate from your will. This letter, to be opened at the time of your death, should include the following: 1. Names, addresses, and telephone numbers of those to be notified on your death. (This should be kept up-to-date.) 2. Instructions for your funeral and burial, or cremation and memorial service if desired. 3. Location of your will. 4. Location of your safe deposit box and its key, and a list of its contents. 5. Location of your essential personal papers, including: · birth or baptismal certificates, · marriage certificate, dissolution of marriage records, · papers for adopted children, · naturalization or citizenship papers, · social security card and records (for possible benefits), · military service records (for possible benefits).

6. Location of life, health and property insurance policies; also burial insurance and notation if prepaid. 7. Location of papers for pension or retirement plans and individual annuities. 8. Location of membership certificates in unions, lodges, or fraternal organizations that provide death or cemetery benefits. 9. List of personal and real property you own, including: · checking and savings accounts and location of passbooks or certificates for these, · all real property and location of mortgages, deeds, and other records, · stocks, bonds, or other securities, · business property such as livestock and equipment, and location of titles, or other records. 10. Location of signed original and copies of list or separate writing of how you want your tangible personal property distributed after your death. 11. Location of your income tax returns and supporting records. 12. Location of all credit cards, and a list of the numbers and addresses of the companies.

13. Location of any trust funds that you have set up or in which you are named, and the names of trustees and copy of the trust fund agreement. 14. Names and addresses of advisors such as your lawyer, banker, insurance representatives, broker, accountant, or tax advisor. 15. Your father's full name and mother's maiden name, which will be needed for the death certificate. 16. Instructions and directions concerning your business. These items will be helpful to have on hand while you are living as well as make it easier, speedier, and possibly cheaper for your personal representative to settle your estate when you are gone. Do you have other items that should be included in your Letter of Last Instructions? If so, list them on the back of this Montguide to serve as a reminder when you write your letter.

References
Stokes, Barrie Balzli. "Handling Financial Affairs After a Death," North Carolina Agricultural Extension Service, March 1984. Stolz, Carol. "Should You Have a Will?" Cooperative Extension Service, Kansas State University.

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Notes for my Letter of Last Instructions

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Copyright © 2005 MSU Extension Service We encourage the use of this document for nonprofit educational purposes. This document may be reprinted if no endorsement of a commercial product, service or company is stated or implied, and if appropriate credit is given to the author and the MSU Extension Service. To use these documents in electronic formats, permission must be sought from the Ag/Extension Communications Coordinator, Communications Services, 416 Culbertson Hall, Montana State University­Bozeman, Bozeman MT 59717; telephone (406) 994-2721; E-mail ­ [email protected]. To order additional publications call your local county or reservation Extension office, or visit www.montana.edu/publications The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Montana State University and the Montana State University Extension Service prohibit discrimination in all of their programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital and family status. 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, Douglas L. Steele, Vice Provost and Director, Extension Service, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717.

File under: Consumer Education D-2 (Estate Planning) Reviewed June 2005
1000-06/05GM