Sarah stared at the blank page on her computer screen, cursor blinking expectantly. Her family trust was established, the legal documents signed and notarized, but she knew something essential was missing. The trustees would make decisions based on cold legal language, but they wouldn’t understand her family’s values, her hopes for her children’s futures, or the lessons she wanted passed down through generations. Like many trust creators, Sarah realized that while trusts handle the “what” and “when” of asset distribution, a letter of wishes captures the “why” and “how.”
Letters of wishes serve as your voice when you can no longer speak for yourself. They guide trustees through complex family dynamics, explain your reasoning behind distribution decisions, and ensure your values live on through your legacy. This comprehensive guide presents ten carefully crafted sample letters that address different trust scenarios and family situations, giving you the framework to create your own meaningful communication with future trustees.
Sample Letters of Wishes for a Trust
The following letters demonstrate various approaches to communicating with trustees, each tailored for specific circumstances and family structures. Use them as templates to craft your own personalized guidance.
1. Letter for Educational Trust Fund
[Insert recipient’s address]
Dear Trustees,
I am writing this letter to provide guidance regarding the educational trust I have established for my grandchildren. This trust represents more than financial support – it embodies my belief that education opens doors to opportunities and creates pathways to meaningful lives.
My wish is that you distribute funds not just for traditional university expenses, but also for educational experiences that broaden perspectives. This includes study abroad programs, internships with nonprofit organizations, trade schools, and professional development courses. I particularly encourage support for any grandchild who chooses to pursue teaching, healthcare, or public service careers, as these paths often require additional financial assistance despite their tremendous value to society.
Please consider each child’s individual learning style and interests. Some may thrive in traditional academic environments, while others might benefit from hands-on learning experiences or entrepreneurial ventures. I trust your judgment in determining what constitutes worthwhile educational investment for each beneficiary.
I also ask that you require each grandchild to contribute something meaningful to their education costs, whether through part-time work, community service, or academic achievement. This requirement is not about the money – it’s about instilling the value of personal investment in one’s own growth.
Thank you for your thoughtful stewardship of this trust.
Sincerely,
[Your name and designation]
2. Letter for Family Business Succession Trust
[Recipient’s mailing address]
Dear Trustees,
Our family business has been my life’s work, built through decades of early mornings, difficult decisions, and unwavering commitment to our customers and employees. As you oversee the transition of business ownership through this trust, I want to share the principles that have guided our success.
The beneficiary who ultimately takes control should demonstrate genuine passion for the business, not just entitlement to inheritance. Look for someone who has worked in various departments, understands our company culture, and shows respect for our employees who have been like family to me. Technical business skills can be learned, but character and commitment cannot be taught.
I encourage you to require any beneficiary interested in business leadership to work outside our company for at least three years. This external experience will provide perspective and prevent the insularity that can damage family businesses. They should return with fresh ideas while respecting our core values of integrity, quality, and community involvement.
If no family member shows both aptitude and genuine interest in leading the business, please don’t force it. Sell the business to employees through an ESOP or to another company that will honor our values and protect our workers. Sometimes the greatest act of love is letting go.
[Sender’s name and title]
3. Letter Addressing Family Conflicts
[Insert trustee address]
Dear Trusted Advisors,
Family relationships can be complicated, and I want to address the tensions that may affect trust distributions. My children have different values, lifestyles, and financial needs, which has sometimes created friction between them.
Please understand that my decision to structure distributions differently for each child reflects their individual circumstances, not favoritism. David’s substance abuse struggles require careful oversight of his inheritance – not punishment, but protection. The staged distributions and counseling requirements I’ve outlined are acts of love, designed to support his recovery while preventing enablement.
Jennifer’s special needs child requires ongoing financial support that her siblings may not fully understand. The additional provisions for medical expenses and specialized care are necessary, not preferential treatment. I ask that you help my other children understand this distinction if questions arise.
Michael’s financially stable situation means he needs less immediate support, but I’ve allocated more funds for his children’s education since he’s already sacrificing to save for their futures. Each distribution decision considers the whole family picture, not just individual entitlement.
Please mediate disputes with patience and wisdom. Grief can intensify family conflicts, but underneath the arguments are people who love each other and are struggling with loss. Sometimes the most valuable service you can provide is family counseling or mediation services funded by the trust.
With gratitude for your understanding,
[Your full name and relationship to beneficiaries]
4. Letter for Charitable Trust Purposes
[Address of trustees]
Dear Fellow Philanthropists,
This trust represents my lifelong commitment to making our community stronger and more equitable. The causes I’ve chosen for support – education, environmental conservation, and poverty alleviation – are interconnected challenges that require sustained, thoughtful investment.
I encourage you to think beyond simple grant-making. Look for opportunities to create lasting change through program-related investments, capacity building for nonprofit organizations, and collaborative funding with other foundations. Sometimes a smaller grant that strengthens an organization’s infrastructure creates more impact than a larger gift for immediate needs.
Pay special attention to grassroots organizations led by community members who understand problems from lived experience. While established nonprofits often have better grant-writing capabilities, don’t overlook smaller groups doing innovative work. Consider funding their capacity building so they can become more effective over time.
I also ask that you maintain some flexibility in funding priorities. Community needs evolve, and effective philanthropy must adapt. If climate change creates new urgent needs, if educational approaches change dramatically, or if poverty alleviation strategies prove more effective than current methods, please redirect funding accordingly.
The goal is not to perpetuate my personal preferences forever, but to continue my commitment to community improvement using the best strategies available.
In partnership for positive change,
[Insert your name and philanthropic title]
5. Letter for Minor Children’s Trust
[Trustee contact information]
Dear Guardians of My Children’s Future,
Nothing breaks my heart more than the thought of leaving my children before they’re grown, but creating this trust gives me peace knowing they’ll be cared for according to my values and hopes for their lives.
Please prioritize their emotional well-being above all else. Money cannot replace love, stability, and guidance. I’ve named my sister as their guardian because she shares my parenting philosophy, but I ask that you fund whatever counseling, therapy, or support services they need to process grief and adjust to their new reality.
For their day-to-day expenses, please be generous but not indulgent. I want them to have comfortable lives – good schools, extracurricular activities, family vacations, and reasonable luxuries – but I also want them to understand money’s value and develop strong work ethics. An allowance tied to age-appropriate responsibilities would continue the system we’ve established.
As they reach milestone ages, please consider their individual maturity levels rather than rigid calendar dates. Some children handle responsibility earlier than others. Look for evidence of good judgment, financial literacy, and stable relationships before releasing larger amounts. You have my permission to delay distributions if addiction, mental health crises, or poor decision-making patterns suggest they’re not ready.
Most importantly, tell them stories about their parents. Share this letter with them when they’re old enough to understand. Help them know that every decision you make comes from our love and hope for their futures.
All my love and trust,
[Parent’s name and relationship]
6. Letter for Blended Family Trust
[Trustees’ address details]
Dear Trustees,
Blended families create unique challenges for estate planning, and I want to explain my distribution decisions to prevent future misunderstandings. My biological children and stepchildren are all equally important to me, but their financial needs and my relationships with them have different histories.
My stepchildren already have significant inheritance from their biological father, which I’ve factored into my planning. The distributions I’ve outlined for them focus on specific needs – Sarah’s art education, Marcus’s special medical expenses – rather than general inheritance. This doesn’t reflect lesser love, but recognition of their complete financial picture.
For my biological children, I’ve provided more substantial general inheritance, but I’ve also included provisions for their half-siblings’ emergencies or unexpected needs. Family means supporting each other through difficulties, regardless of bloodlines.
I particularly ask your help in maintaining family relationships. Fund joint family activities, shared vacations, or family therapy if needed. The greatest gift I can leave is siblings who remain connected throughout their lives. Sometimes investing in relationships provides better returns than any financial instrument.
Please communicate openly with all the children about trust provisions once they’re adults. Secrets breed resentment, but honest explanations of my reasoning can prevent hurt feelings and strengthen family bonds.
[Your signature and parental designation]
7. Letter for Special Needs Trust
[Address for trust administration]
Dear Advocates and Protectors,
My daughter Emma has brought immeasurable joy to our family despite the challenges of her developmental disabilities. This trust is designed to enhance her quality of life while protecting her eligibility for essential government benefits.
Please understand that Emma’s needs extend far beyond basic care. She thrives with routine, familiar environments, and trusted caregivers. If residential placement becomes necessary, prioritize stability and continuity of care over cost savings. Moving her frequently between facilities would be traumatic and counterproductive.
Emma loves music, art activities, and spending time in gardens. Please fund therapeutic programs that incorporate her interests, even if they seem like luxuries to others. For someone with limited communication abilities, creative expression becomes essential for emotional well-being and personal growth.
I encourage you to maintain flexibility as disability services and support options evolve. New technologies, therapeutic approaches, and community programs constantly emerge. Emma’s trust should take advantage of innovations that could improve her independence and happiness.
Most importantly, please ensure Emma always has advocates who know her personally, understand her communication style, and fight for her best interests. The trust should fund professional advocacy services, legal representation when needed, and ongoing relationships with people who see her as a complete person, not just a collection of disabilities.
She deserves a life filled with dignity, joy, and love.
With immense gratitude,
[Parent’s name and advocacy role]
8. Letter for Asset Protection Trust
[Trustee business address]
Dear Asset Protectors,
I have established this trust not from paranoia, but from prudent recognition that professional and personal liability risks continue throughout life. As someone in a high-risk profession, I need protection for my family’s financial security while maintaining ethical standards and legal compliance.
Please understand that asset protection should never cross into asset hiding or illegal tax avoidance. Work with reputable attorneys and tax professionals who prioritize legal compliance over aggressive strategies. My reputation and professional licenses are more valuable than any tax savings achieved through questionable methods.
The trust should provide my family with financial security if lawsuits or professional liability claims threaten our assets, but it should not be used to avoid legitimate debts or legal obligations. I want protection from frivolous litigation and excessive judgments, not immunity from personal responsibility.
Please maintain detailed records of all trust activities and be prepared to demonstrate legal compliance if authorities ever inquire. Transparency within legal bounds protects everyone involved and prevents future complications for my beneficiaries.
This trust represents responsible planning, not financial manipulation. Please maintain that distinction in all your decisions and actions.
Respectfully,
[Professional name and credentials]
9. Letter for Dynasty Trust
[Multi-generational trustees’ information]
Dear Stewards of Our Family Legacy,
This dynasty trust represents my hope that our family’s values and financial resources will strengthen future generations rather than spoiling them. The wealth I’ve accumulated should serve as a tool for positive impact, not a source of entitlement or family dysfunction.
Please emphasize education, character development, and meaningful contribution to society over simple wealth preservation. Each generation should add value to the family legacy through their own achievements, not merely consume inherited resources.
I encourage you to establish family governance structures – regular meetings, shared philanthropic projects, mentorship programs – that keep family members connected to each other and to our shared values. Wealth without wisdom and relationships often destroys families within three generations.
Consider implementing incentive distributions that reward education, entrepreneurship, public service, or significant charitable contributions. Money should motivate positive behaviors, not enable destructive ones. Each beneficiary should understand that trust distributions come with expectations for personal growth and social responsibility.
Please adapt distribution policies as society and our family evolve. What serves one generation may not benefit the next. The trust’s ultimate purpose is strengthening our family and our community for centuries to come.
For future generations of [family name],
[Founder’s name and family title]
10. Letter for Pet Care Trust
[Animal welfare trustees address]
Dear Caretakers of My Beloved Companions,
My pets have been faithful friends who provided unconditional love and daily joy. This trust ensures they receive excellent care for their natural lifespans while honoring the bond we shared.
Please prioritize their emotional well-being alongside physical health. Max and Luna are accustomed to sleeping indoors, regular walks, and constant human companionship. Any caregiver you select should understand that pets grieve their owners’ loss and need extra attention during the transition period.
I’ve allocated generous funds for veterinary care because I believe in aggressive treatment for treatable conditions, but please don’t prolong suffering when the time comes for humane euthanasia. Quality of life matters more than quantity of time, and I trust your judgment about end-of-life decisions.
If my designated caregiver cannot continue providing care, please find placement with animal lovers rather than institutional facilities. These pets have known family life and would be miserable in kennel situations. The trust should cover adoption incentives if necessary to secure appropriate homes.
Any remaining funds after my pets’ passing should go to local animal rescue organizations that share my commitment to treating animals with dignity and compassion.
Thank you for ensuring my faithful friends live out their lives surrounded by love.
[Pet owner’s name and relationship]
Conclusion
Writing a letter of wishes transforms your trust from a legal document into a personal communication that preserves your voice and values for future generations. Each letter in this collection demonstrates how thoughtful guidance can help trustees make decisions that honor your intentions while adapting to changing circumstances.
Your own letter should reflect your unique family situation, personal values, and specific hopes for your beneficiaries. Start with the scenarios that most closely match your circumstances, then personalize the language and guidance to reflect your relationships and concerns. Remember that trustees will rely on your words to understand not just what you want, but why you want it.
The most effective letters of wishes combine practical guidance with emotional wisdom, helping trustees navigate both financial decisions and family dynamics. Take time to craft yours thoughtfully – it may become one of the most important documents you ever write for your family’s future.