What is an Ethical Will?

An Ethical Will is also known as a Forever Letter or an Eternity Letter. It has its roots in Jewish tradition, where it dates back thousands of years.

An Ethical Will is much different than a legal will. The legal will expresses your wishes for the distribution of your assets and possessions. It's legally enforceable and can be done on your own (through a kit, an attorney, etc.). An Ethical Will shares your values, wisdom, and love. It can also be a way of asking for forgiveness. It can express thoughts and emotions. It's not generally a place for anger or revealing family secrets. (That can be done with a separate letter, and I highly recommend that they are kept separate.)

Unlike a legal will, an Ethical Will can be written at any time and can be shared while you are very much alive (if you choose to do so). In fact, it's a good idea to write an Ethical Will at various milestones in your life: milestone birthdays (20, 30, 40, etc.), upon retirement, when you become a parent/aunt/uncle/grandparent, when a life-altering event happens (such as a major career change, gender change/affirmation/realignment, LGBTQ announcement/affirmation/reveal, an accident, or a health issue), or whenever you feel moved to write one. Some people choose to write an Ethical Will each year during a holiday or their birthday.

An Ethical Will shares your values, wisdom, and love. It can also be a way of asking for forgiveness. It can express thoughts and emotions that are difficult to say out loud.

​If you aren't sure what to write or how to start, I would be happy to help you. Please use my contact form to request a free consultation. 

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