Document text
A letter of wishes and a map of my papers — written calmly, ahead of time. It is not a will.
From: [YOUR FULL NAME] · Date: [DATE] · Written before: [surgery / giving birth / a trip — or just because]
1. To the people I love
[A few words in your own voice — what you want them to know. There is no right way to write this part.]
2. Who to call first
Who Relationship Phone / email Why them
[NAME] [spouse / sister / friend] [NUMBER] [knows where everything is]
3. Where my papers are
Paper Where it is Notes
ID, passport, birth and marriage certificates [PLACE]
Insurance policies (life, health, HMO) [PLACE] [insurer, policy number]
SSS / GSIS / PhilHealth / Pag-IBIG numbers [PLACE]
Bank accounts and e-wallets [PLACE] [bank — no passwords here]
Land titles, car papers, contracts [PLACE]
My will, if I made one [PLACE] [holographic / notarial; who has a copy]
4. Children, pets and the home
Who or what Who I would like to care for them Notes
[CHILD'S NAME] [NAME] [school, doctor, routines]
[PET] [NAME]
The house / rent / bills [NAME] [due dates]
5. My wishes
[Small things that matter to me — keepsakes, messages, who gets my letters or photos]
[How I would like to be remembered or farewelled, if it ever comes to that]
6. Accounts and passwords
[Do not write passwords here. Write only where they are kept — e.g. a sealed envelope with [NAME], or a password manager — and who may open it.]
If you also want a will (Philippines): a letter like this does not pass on property. A will must follow the form set by law: a holographic will is written entirely, dated and signed by your own hand (Civil Code, Art. 810) — you can use this page as your draft and copy it out by hand; a notarial will is signed by you and three credible witnesses on every page and acknowledged before a notary public (Arts. 805–806).
Signed: ______________________ · Date: [DATE]
© Layers (layers.md), CC BY 4.0. A template for a personal letter, not legal advice.