An ethical will is not a legal docu-
ment. It carries no binding instruc-
tions. It does not transfer material
wealth, only spiritual wealth to
those who receive it. For many,
the bequest of an ethical will can
be more valuable that money or
property that is passed from one
generation to the next. Ethical
wills are not a modern-day phe-
nomenon. They have been in place
since biblical times. They were
used, as they are still used today,
to pass stories and values from
one generation to the next. Such
ethical wills, which historically
were passed down through oral
story-telling, exist now as writings
or other tangible gifts from one
family member to another.
Everyone has a story to tell. May-
be it’s a story about our parents.
Maybe it’s a story about how we
grew up or what happened to
us as adults. Maybe it’s a story
about a case we tried or a client
we helped. Whatever the stories
are, they are the experiences of our
lives. Whether good or bad, there
is wisdom to impart and lessons
to learn from those experiences.
Certainly, none of us go through
our lives without challenges and
difficulties. Our discussion of those
events may provide the emotional
support needed when our children
face their own life predicaments.
Our stories of adversity and resil-
iency in our own lives may pro-
vide important and helpful lessons
for others in the future. Another
reason why you would create an
ethical will is because of the joy
that i s felt by the recipients of your
ethical will. The appreciation that
someone feels when they are given
something tangible from a loved
one. Something that the person
created themselves.
So how can you create an ethical
will? Wonderfully, there is no right
answer to this question. Ethical
wills can be done by audio record-
ing, video recording, by writing a
letter, by writing poetry, by writing
to children can be more priceless
than any financial inheritance.
The easiest way to begin writing
is to prepare an outline of topics
and then write about those items
that you select. Your topics may
include your thoughts about dif-
ferent values, beliefs, hopes and
maybe even your dreams. In that
many people view ethical wills as
writing a love letter to your family,
“Whoever it may be for, an
ethical will is seen as a gift of
love to those who receive it.”
a song or by painting a painting.
There is no one way to express
yourself for those who follow you.
If you choose to write an ethical
will, the beauty of creating an ethi-
cal will is that there is no required
format. No word minimums or
maximums. There is only the need
for you to have true intent in your
writing. To be authentic and to be
positive. Think about the stories
you want to tell. The ones that are
at risk of losing if you don’t write
them down to share. Think about
the lessons and wisdom that you
want to pass along to your children
and loved ones so that hopefully
they will avoid some of the same
mistakes. And most importantly,
share your message of love. The
feelings that you have but often
do not share. The feelings that you
want to express and somehow have
trouble communicating. Clearly,
these writings passed from parents
you should feel comfortable shar-
ing your experiences in life, the
lessons learned and possibly your
messages of forgiveness, maybe
even of regrets.
After you create your list of topics
to discuss or messages to share,
you can then begin to fill in the
words to tell your story. Eventually
you will find that you have writ-
ten on the topics that you have
chosen. When you’re ready, it may
be appropriate for you to add an
introduction, an explanation of
why you wrote what you wrote
and maybe a conclusion where
you can add some final thoughts.
The key to writing your ethical will
is simply to start. And it is never
too early to begin.
This is your chance before it’s too
late.
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The Official News Publication of the Atlanta Bar Association THE ATLANTA LAWYER
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