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When Might You
Write an Ethical Will?
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Here
are some occasions when you might consider
writing an Ethical Will.
Betrothed Couples:
Today,
the overall divorce rate in our society has
"declined" to about 50%. However, 70% of
divorces occur within the first 5 years of
marriage. An ethical will can help a couple to
clearly understand each other's values, and it
can contribute to building a foundation of
common values for the marriage. Many clergy are
attending to this issue today.
Expectant and new parents:
It's
been said that children don't come with a
"user's manual." An ethical will at this stage
will provide a foundation of common values upon
which to approach childrearing. In addition, an
ethical will can help in conflict resolution by
increasing the understanding of each other's
important values.
Divorcing Couples:
Even
in divorce, an ethical will can provide some
security and reassurance for the children
involved, by providing tangible evidence what's
important to their parents. It's even possible
that in a divorce situation, the "blame factor"
might be minimized.
Growing families:
For
growing families, and ethical will can be used
to teach values to our children. By writing
these values on a document, it has the potential
to improve communication with our
children.
Empty-Nesters
Provides
the opportunity to launch adult children and
enter into a new relationship phase.
Middle age and beyond:
This
is one life stage that writing an ethical will
is most fitting. It is an opportunity to harvest
our life experiences, convert these experience
into wisdom, and allow for the fulfillment of
the responsibility of passing this wisdom on to
future generations
End of Life:
If
energy and time permits, writing an ethical will
at the end of life adds a transcendent dimension
to our lives by providing a link to future
generations. In essence, you are providing your
legacy of values and beliefs for a time when you
are gone.
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