Life Testaments or Ethical Wills

Author

Kapsak Law Firm, LLC

Posted on

Sep 16, 2012

Book/Edition

Colorado - Boulder County

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Life Testaments, or ethical wills, are a way to share our values, blessings, life's lessons, hopes and dreams for the future, love, and forgiveness with our family, friends, and community. Although these names frequently cause confusion, Life Testaments are simply writings intended to provide loved ones with more formal and tangible expressions of those values, guiding principles, and wishes than conversations that may be planned but never held.
Life Testaments are not new. Their use may be found, for example, in both Hebrew Scriptures (Genesis 49) and Christian Scriptures (John 15-18) and may be transmitted orally or otherwise. If in written form, they are not considered legal documents in the sense that they do not convey wishes in the event of a terminal condition or irreversible coma as may be found in a Living Will; nor do they express wishes as to materials possessions as may be found in a Will or Revocable (Living) Trust. Rather, they are personal expressions of values at life's turning points, responses to challenging life situations and transitional life stages. These personal documents reflect the voice of the heart and are as unique as the person writing it.
Life Testaments share some common themes: Preserving family history; conveying important personal/spiritual values and beliefs; bestowing hopes and blessings for future generations; relating life's lessons; expressing ones love, forgiving others, and asking for forgiveness. Couples and parents may use a Life Testament to help clearly understand each others values so to build a foundation of common values for the relationship and childrearing, as well as to launch adult children and enter into a new relationship phase; an opportunity to harvest life experiences, convert these experiences into wisdom, and allow for the fulfillment of the responsibility of passing this wisdom on to future generations. Each of us may use the Life Testament as a link to future generations, a legacy of values and beliefs for a time when we are gone.
A Life Testament complements our estate plan will or trust, durable general and healthcare powers of attorney, living will. It is a living document, ever changeable, constantly evolving; a challenge to create, a relief to complete; a blessing to give.

Editors Note: This article was submitted by Dan Kapsak of Kapsak Law Firm LLC. He may be reached at 303 651-9330 or by email dkapsak@kapsaklaw.com

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