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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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