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    Ethical Will Template

    Your legal will divides money. Ethical will divides wisdom.

    What's an ethical will?

    • NOT legally binding.
    • Personal letter to family + future generations.
    • Shares values, lessons, hopes.
    • Tradition dating to ancient times.
    • Often more meaningful than legal will.
    • Can be written or video-recorded.

    Sections to include

    • Opening — "Dear family, I want to share..."
    • What I've learned — top 5 life lessons.
    • Values that mattered — what I tried to live by.
    • People who shaped me — gratitude.
    • Family stories I want preserved.
    • What I want for you — hopes for descendants.
    • Lessons from regrets.
    • Final blessing — words to close.

    Sample prompts

    • "I am grateful for..."
    • "Things I learned the hard way..."
    • "What I wish I'd known at 30..."
    • "The family traditions worth keeping..."
    • "I forgive..."
    • "I'm sorry for..."
    • "I love you because..."
    • "I hope you..."
    • Each prompt = paragraph or section.

    Length + format

    • 2-10 pages typical.
    • Short = more likely to be read repeatedly.
    • One letter to all OR letters to each child/grandchild.
    • Handwritten more personal — but typed easier to read decades later.
    • Update yearly.
    • Date it.
    • Sign with personal note.

    Where to keep + share

    • Give copies NOW (don't wait until you're gone).
    • Read at family gathering.
    • Keep with legal documents.
    • Tell estate executor.
    • Some share at 80th birthday party.
    • Or store with instructions to read after passing.

    Resources

    celebrationsoflife.net — free templates. "Ethical Wills" book by Barry Baines — examples + framework. StoryWorth + Remento — services help capture similar content. Many synagogues, churches, hospices offer ethical-will writing workshops.