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Precatory Memorandum for the United States

Precatory Memorandum Template for United States

A Precatory Memorandum is a non-binding document used in the United States legal system to express wishes, desires, or recommendations without creating legal obligations. It serves as a formal way to communicate intentions while maintaining flexibility for the recipients. While commonly used in estate planning and family governance, it can be applied across various contexts where formal but non-binding guidance is desired. The document follows U.S. federal and state-specific guidelines while maintaining its advisory nature.

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What is a Precatory Memorandum?

The Precatory Memorandum emerged as a valuable tool in U.S. legal practice for situations requiring formal documentation of wishes without the rigid structure of legally binding agreements. This document type is particularly useful when individuals want to provide guidance or express preferences while allowing recipients discretion in implementation. Commonly used in estate planning, family governance, and charitable giving, the Precatory Memorandum bridges the gap between informal requests and legal mandates. It typically includes detailed expressions of intent, supporting rationale, and relevant context while maintaining its non-binding nature.

What sections should be included in a Precatory Memorandum?

1. Author Information: Full legal name and contact details of the person expressing their wishes

2. Date: Date of creation of the memorandum

3. Statement of Intent: Clear declaration that this is a non-binding expression of wishes and its purpose

4. Wishes and Requests: Detailed description of the author's desires or requests, clearly expressed in precatory language

5. Recipients: Intended recipients or audiences of the memorandum and their roles

What sections are optional to include in a Precatory Memorandum?

1. Reasoning: Explanation of why certain wishes are being expressed, used when additional context would be valuable

2. Alternative Suggestions: Secondary preferences or alternatives if primary wishes cannot be fulfilled

3. Personal Values Statement: Expression of personal values and principles guiding the wishes, useful for complex requests

What schedules should be included in a Precatory Memorandum?

1. Supporting Documentation: Copies or references to any relevant background documents or information

2. Contact List: Comprehensive list of relevant parties or contacts mentioned in the memo

3. Related Documents: List and references to any related legal documents such as wills, trusts, or other relevant instruments

Authors

Alex Denne

Head of Growth (Open Source Law) @ Ƶ | 3 x UCL-Certified in Contract Law & Drafting | 4+ Years Managing 1M+ Legal Documents | Serial Founder & Legal AI Author

Jurisdiction

United States

Publisher

Ƶ

Document Type

Memorandum

Cost

Free to use
Clauses










Industries

Federal Constitutional Law: First Amendment rights considerations as they pertain to expressions of wishes in precatory language

Federal Estate Planning Laws: Federal regulations governing estate planning and wealth transfer that may influence the precatory memorandum's content

Federal Tax Regulations: Tax implications and considerations if the precatory memorandum relates to estate planning or asset distribution

State Trust Laws: State-specific regulations governing trusts and their formation, which may impact how the memorandum's wishes are interpreted

State Property Laws: State-specific rules regarding property rights and transfer that could affect the subject matter of the memorandum

State Testamentary Requirements: State-specific formal requirements for testamentary documents and how they relate to precatory memoranda

Doctrine of Precatory Trusts: Legal principles governing the distinction between binding trust obligations and mere expressions of wishes

Moral Obligations Doctrine: Legal principles regarding the non-enforceability of purely moral obligations in contrast to legal obligations

Binding vs Non-Binding Precedents: Case law establishing the distinction between binding legal obligations and non-binding expressions of wishes

Document Formalities: Requirements for clear indication of the non-binding nature of the memorandum and distinction from legally binding documents

Teams

Employer, Employee, Start Date, Job Title, Department, Location, Probationary Period, Notice Period, Salary, Overtime, Vacation Pay, Statutory Holidays, Benefits, Bonus, Expenses, Working Hours, Rest Breaks,  Leaves of Absence, Confidentiality, Intellectual Property, Non-Solicitation, Non-Competition, Code of Conduct, Termination,  Severance Pay, Governing Law, Entire Agreemen

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