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Abstract: 

A primary principle in trust administration is that the trustee is to follow the grantor’s intent. However, it may be difficult for a trustee to fully understand the grantor’s intent when the trust itself includes only the drafting attorney’s standard boilerplate language. In this article, the author explores whether a letter of wishes prepared by the grantor is an appropriate method to impart his or her intentions to the trustee.

Keywords: Estate Planning, Letters of Intent, Letters of Wishes, Trust Administration, Four Corners of Document, Grantor’s/Settlor’s Wishes/Intent

Affiliations:  1: Horwood Marcus & Berk, Chtd..