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Ethical Wills: A Chance to Share

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An ethical will gives you the chance to share your thoughts and wisdom. You may have heard the phrase,” The best things in life aren’t things.” Your ethical will can describe those finer things. You can tell the story of how and why you bought that cabin in the woods. You are giving your loved ones a great gift, an opportunity to better know and remember you when you are gone.

Ethical wills can serve to link you to your cultural and familial roots; it can also reaffirm your ethical and spiritual beliefs. These statements can form the basis of the family legacy that you wish to pass on to future generations. It mostly likely won’t be a simple list, but rather a more personal and conversational story of how these beliefs led you throughout your life.

Your statement can explain the importance of certain mementos to the family history, and why a certain family member will be the best caretaker for such a special item. You can retell favorite family stories, preserving your version for all to enjoy. You can let the children know why you always got off the interstate a few exits early on vacation, why the journey was as important as the destination.

You have the option to give thanks to others and transmit your well wishes for the future good. You can also ask forgiveness from anyone who feels that you have wronged or slighted them, and in turn forgive those who may have wronged you. It gives you the means to congratulate family for their achievements. Your ethical will should be a celebration of sorts, a remembrance of what has brought you the greatest joys.

Stephen Unsworth
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