Should you include a letter of intent in your estate plan?

If your estate includes special needs planning for a child who will require lifelong care, you may consider including a letter of intent. This letter is not a legal requirement, but it can provide you with peace of mind about the care your child will get once you are gone.

The worst thing about death is the unknown. You may not have the chance to talk about your child with the person who will serve as guardian, but a letter of intent gives you the chance to tell the guardian everything you think he or she needs to know.

Explanation of letter of intent

A letter of intent is not a legal document. You can include it in your estate plan. The idea behind it is to serve as an informative document for the guardian. You can include a lot of personal details about your child and his or her care. It can serve as a guide of sorts to the daily care of your child.

Limits and guidelines

There is no right or wrong way to create a letter of intent. Since it is not a legal document, you can do whatever you want with it. Ideally, you will include as much information as possible. Be detailed and ensure that you outline everything the guardian will need to know to give your child a good life. You might want to outline a typical day, talk about the ups and downs, explain his or her quirks or personality or give insight into what makes him or her happy. You should also outline medications and doctors.

After you create the letter of intent, make sure to update it often. You want to keep on top of it and ensure it provides the latest information.