{"id":6026,"date":"2026-07-28T18:53:50","date_gmt":"2026-07-28T18:53:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fasterdraft.com\/?post_type=product&p=6026"},"modified":"2026-07-29T16:45:43","modified_gmt":"2026-07-29T16:45:43","slug":"letter-of-wishes-england-and-wales-template","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/fasterdraft.com\/uk\/product\/letter-of-wishes-england-and-wales-template","title":{"rendered":"Letter of Wishes (England and Wales)"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is a Letter of Wishes?<\/h2>\n

A letter of wishes is a non-binding, informal written document that is issued by a testator to accompany their will and to give executors certain guidance and instructions regarding the execution of the will. The document gives a testator complete freedom to update or change it at any time, without the complex execution formalities required for a will or codicil<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n

The present document can be used for a will signed in England and Wales.<\/p>\n

Codicil vs. Letter of Wishes vs. last will \u2014 A Practical Comparison.<\/h2>\n

This is the comparison that matters most before you decide what you actually need.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/th>\nLast Will and Testament<\/th>\nCodicil<\/th>\nLetter of Wishes<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Legally binding<\/strong><\/td>\nYes<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\nNo<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Execution formalities<\/strong><\/td>\nSection 9, Wills Act 1837 \u2014 signed by the testator and two witnesses<\/td>\n\u00a0Section 9, Wills Act 1837 \u2014 signed by the testator and two witnesses<\/td>\nSigned by the testator only<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Used for<\/strong><\/td>\nBinding dispositions of your estate, appointing executors, appointing guardians, allocation of residuary<\/td>\nFormal amendments to an existing will<\/td>\nGuidance on personal possessions, funeral wishes, guardianship approach, reasoning behind decisions<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Informal Update<\/strong><\/td>\nNo. Require signing a new codicil or will<\/td>\nNo. Require signing a new codicil or will<\/td>\nYes \u2014 freely, at any time, with no formalities<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Part of the public probate record<\/strong><\/td>\nYes, once probate is granted<\/td>\nYes, once probate is granted<\/td>\nNo, unless deliberately incorporated or disclosed in the court<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Legal basis<\/strong><\/td>\nWills Act 1837<\/td>\nWills Act 1837<\/td>\nNone.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

All in all, a last will<\/em><\/a> allows you to make legally binding decisions regarding your estate, the appointment of a guardian, or the allocation of chattels. While a letter of wishes is a set of informal guidance which can be used to interpret the wording of the will or codicil (in case of any ambiguity) or to better understand the wishes and intentions of the testator.<\/p>\n

How can this template from FasterDraft help?<\/h2>\n

By customising the letter of wishes with FasterDraft, you get to prevent risks and gain the following benefits:<\/p>\n