A good letter of instruction should contain the following information: A complete list of all assets. The whereabouts of any tangible assets that are not readily accessible. Necessary information about all liquid assets, including bank, brokerage, retirement, and investment accounts.
Here are some things to consider when drafting a letter to your executor or trustee. Your thoughts about wealth. Describe key players in the family. What matters to you? ... Give your trustee the power to make decisions, even when that means saying no.
California statutory law requires a trustee to account annually to current trust beneficiaries, i.e., those who are currently entitled to receive distributions of income and principal during the accounting period. Any trustee, other than the settlor(s) who established the trust, has a duty to account.
Below, we have broken the process down into manageable steps. Step 1: Start with a Proper Salutation. Step 2: Introduce Yourself and Your Relationship to the Deceased. Step 3: Clearly State the Purpose of the Letter. Step 4: Provide Detailed Information about the Inheritance.
As an executor, you must provide a formal accounting at least once a year, but beneficiaries can request an informal probate accounting in California at any time. When they do, you must produce it.