A Letter of Instruction and a Personal Property Memorandum are simple tools that can make your Wisconsin estate plan easier for your family to carry out. They help loved ones find what they need, understand your wishes, and distribute your tangible belongings (like furniture, jewelry, and family heirlooms) with less confusion and conflict. Used correctly—and coordinated with your will or trust—these documents save time, reduce uncertainty, and provide clarity when it matters most.
Below is a practical, Wisconsin-focused checklist that explains what to include in each document, what to avoid, and how to keep them aligned with your core estate planning documents. This is plain-English guidance for people with a will in place (or preparing one) who want a smoother path for their families. For related guidance, see Choosing a Personal Representative in Wisconsin: Duties, Successors, and Practical Tips.
What These Wisconsin Documents Are and How They Fit Into an Estate Plan
Letter of Instruction (LOI): A nonbinding document that tells your personal representative (executor), trustee, and family where things are, who to contact, how to access accounts or devices, and what you want for practical matters like keepsakes, pets, and memorial preferences. Think of it as a roadmap and a set of how-to notes. For related guidance, see Wisconsin Estate Planning for Siblings Purchasing Property Together: Agreements, Buyouts, and Exit Plans.
Personal Property Memorandum (PPM): A separate written list referenced by your will that directs the distribution of specific pieces of tangible personal property. It typically covers items like furniture, artwork, jewelry, tools, clothing, and household goods. In Wisconsin, the PPM is recognized when properly coordinated with a will and when it clearly identifies items and the people who should receive them. It is designed to be easier to update than your will.
How they work together: Your will names who is in charge and covers beneficiaries and major assets. Your PPM, if your will refers to it, lets you assign particular tangible items without rewriting the full will. Your Letter of Instruction provides directions and context so your personal representative can carry out your plan smoothly.
Letter of Instruction: What to Include (Practical Checklist)
Your Letter of Instruction is a practical guide for the people who will step in after you pass or if you become incapacitated. Aim for clarity, not legal language. Update it when life changes.
Contact and role information
- Names, addresses, emails, and phone numbers for key people: personal representative, trustee, successor trustee, agents under powers of attorney, and guardians for minor children (if applicable)
- Important professional contacts: financial advisor, accountant, insurance agent, and primary care provider
Location map: where to find things
- Where the original will and any trust documents are stored
- Where to find the Personal Property Memorandum and any recent updates
- Where to find life insurance policies, annuity contracts, retirement plan statements, and beneficiary designations
- Titles, deeds, and vehicle information (physical location of documents)
- Safe deposit box details (location, key, and authorized access)
- Home safe combinations or key locations
Accounts and access
- List of bank and investment institutions and how accounts are titled
- List of digital accounts: email, cloud storage, social media, financial apps, subscription services
- How to access devices: phones, tablets, computers, and password manager instructions (do not put actual passwords in easily accessible copies)
Practical household details
- Bill pay schedule and autopay details (utilities, mortgage, taxes)
- Important memberships or loyalty programs with transferable value
- Home maintenance contacts (plumber, electrician, lawn or snow services)
Personal wishes and guidance
- Thoughts about keepsakes not listed in the PPM
- Pet care instructions and preferred caretakers
- Memorial, funeral, or celebration-of-life preferences and any prepaid arrangements
- Charities or causes you would like supported
Keep the tone friendly and direct. Use headings and bullet points so your personal representative can act quickly under stress.
Personal Property Memorandum: What to Include (Wisconsin-Focused Checklist)
A Wisconsin Personal Property Memorandum is most effective when it is clearly identified as your list, signed and dated by you, and your will states that such a list may be used to dispose of tangible personal property. It should precisely identify each item and who should receive it.
Getting the basics right
- Title the document clearly (for example, “Personal Property Memorandum”).
- Include your full name, the date, and your signature.
- Use clear, specific descriptions of each item (brand, model, serial number, color, size, unique characteristics).
- Identify beneficiaries by full name and relationship, and include current contact details if possible.
- Number each entry so updates and revisions are easy to track.
What kinds of items it usually covers
- Jewelry, watches, and family heirlooms
- Art, antiques, and collections
- Furniture, rugs, and decorative items
- Tools, hobby equipment, and musical instruments
- Clothing and personal effects with sentimental value
Handling sets, pairs, and collections
- State whether the gift is for the entire set or individual pieces.
- Photograph complex items or collections and keep photos with the memorandum for clarity.
- For large collections, group items logically (for example, “coin collection in three binders labeled A, B, and C”).
Backups and alternates
- Consider naming an alternate recipient if a listed beneficiary does not survive you.
- Note where each item is typically located (for example, “cedar chest in primary bedroom”).
Updating without confusion
- When you revise, sign and date the new version.
- Destroy prior versions or mark them “void” to avoid conflicts.
- Tell your personal representative and trustee where the current version is stored.
What Not to Put in These Documents (Common Wisconsin Pitfalls)
Certain assets and directions do not belong in a Personal Property Memorandum, and some topics are better handled with other estate planning documents. Avoid these common mistakes:
- Do not use the PPM for money, bank accounts, real estate, or business interests. These typically require a will, trust, beneficiary designation, or other formal transfer method.
- Be careful with titled or regulated property. Vehicles, trailers, boats, and firearms can involve title transfers and compliance rules. Consider addressing these in your will or trust, or by using appropriate title or registration tools. Coordination matters.
- Do not contradict your will or trust. If the PPM says one person gets an item but the will leaves all tangible personal property to someone else without referencing a PPM, the conflict can cause delays and uncertainty.
- Do not put sensitive information in widely shared copies of your Letter of Instruction. For example, avoid listing passwords in documents that may be emailed or stored in cloud drives without tight security.
- Do not treat funeral or burial wishes in your Letter of Instruction as automatically binding. A Letter of Instruction guides your family, but additional Wisconsin forms may be needed if you want legally enforceable authority for final disposition.
If you want help preparing a will that properly references a Personal Property Memorandum and aligning these tools with your broader plan, speak with our firm about representation. To schedule a consultation, use our contact form or call 414-253-8500.
How to Store, Share, and Update Your Letter and Memorandum in Wisconsin
Storage basics
- Keep the original signed will in a safe, known location. Do the same for the latest signed PPM.
- Store your Letter of Instruction with your estate documents or in a readily accessible file.
- Consider a fireproof home safe or a clearly labeled binder stored in a secure spot. If you use a safe deposit box, ensure your personal representative will have access when needed.
Sharing the right way
- Give your personal representative and trustee clear instructions on where to find the current PPM and Letter of Instruction.
- Provide copies of the Letter of Instruction to trusted people who will need to act quickly, and let them know you will update it over time.
- Avoid circulating multiple versions of your PPM. Keep only one current, signed version to prevent confusion.
Updating over time
- Review your PPM and Letter of Instruction annually and after life events: moves, marriages, divorces, births, deaths, major purchases, or downsizing.
- When you change your PPM, sign and date the new version and retire the old one.
- When you update your Letter of Instruction, date the new version and alert your personal representative to the change.
Step-by-Step: Coordinating Your Will and Personal Property Memorandum
Use this checklist to keep your Wisconsin plan consistent and workable:
1) Confirm your will supports a PPM
- Make sure your will states that you may leave a separate written list for tangible personal property and that your personal representative should distribute items according to that list.
2) Create the PPM with clear item and recipient descriptions
- Identify items with enough detail to avoid mix-ups and list full names of recipients.
- Sign and date the memorandum and keep it with your will.
3) Avoid conflicting gifts
- If your will leaves “all household items” to one person, revising the will to carve out items handled by the PPM can prevent confusion.
- When in doubt, align the will's language to recognize and defer to your PPM.
4) Coordinate with trusts and beneficiary designations
- Confirm your tangible personal property clause in any revocable living trust does not conflict with the will and PPM arrangement.
- Keep beneficiary designations for financial accounts current; those designations typically control regardless of your will or PPM.
5) Address special categories thoughtfully
- High-value items: Consider appraisals and add identifying photographs.
- Items with safety or legal concerns: For example, certain firearms or hazardous equipment. Plan for compliant transfers and safe handling.
- Sentimental items: Provide context in your Letter of Instruction to reduce hard feelings and explain why you chose particular recipients.
6) Communicate while you can
- Share your general approach with close family members to reduce surprises.
- Use your Letter of Instruction for tone and reassurance. Clarity now can prevent disputes later.
7) Revisit as life changes
- Update your PPM promptly when you acquire, sell, or gift items during life.
- Refresh your Letter of Instruction if your contacts, accounts, or preferences change.
If you are coordinating a new or existing Wisconsin will with a Personal Property Memorandum and a comprehensive Letter of Instruction, our firm can help you move from a draft to a finished, signed plan. To discuss hiring counsel, schedule a consultation through our contact form or call 414-2538500.
Common Questions About Wisconsin Letters of Instruction and Personal Property Memoranda
Is a Personal Property Memorandum valid in Wisconsin without a will that refers to it?
Generally, your will should state that a separate written list may be used to distribute tangible personal property. Without that reference, the memorandum may not be followed as part of your estate plan. Coordinating the memo with a properly drafted will is an important step.
Can I list money, bank accounts, or real estate in a Wisconsin Personal Property Memorandum?
No. A Personal Property Memorandum is typically limited to tangible personal property, such as jewelry or furniture. Money, bank accounts, securities, and real estate should be handled through your will or trust, beneficiary designations, or other appropriate transfer documents.
Are funeral and burial wishes in a Letter of Instruction legally binding in Wisconsin?
A Letter of Instruction is guidance for your loved ones and personal representative, but by itself it is not the same as formal legal authority. If you want legally enforceable directions for final disposition, additional Wisconsin forms may be appropriate. Placing your preferences in the Letter of Instruction is still helpful so family members know what you want.
How should I handle vehicles, firearms, or high‑value collectibles in Wisconsin?
These categories may have titling, registration, or compliance requirements. Consider addressing them in your will or trust and coordinating any title or registration steps as needed. For high‑value items, add documentation and photographs, and make sure your plan clearly identifies who should receive them.
What happens if my Memorandum conflicts with my will or trust?
Conflicts can cause delays and uncertainty. If the documents do not agree, your personal representative may need to follow the terms of the will or trust. The best approach is to revise and align your documents now so they work together without contradiction.
Putting It All Together
A well-organized Wisconsin estate plan uses your will or trust for the core legal framework, a Personal Property Memorandum for specific tangible items, and a Letter of Instruction to guide loved ones through the practical steps. Clear descriptions, consistent documents, and easy-to-find originals make the difference between a smooth process and a stressful one.
To talk through next steps and discuss representation for preparing or updating your Wisconsin will, Personal Property Memorandum, and Letter of Instruction, reach out to our firm. You can schedule a consultation via our contact form or by calling 414-253-8500.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws and procedures can change, and outcomes depend on specific facts. Consult a qualified attorney about your situation before taking action.
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