In drawing up a will, you devote careful attention to deciding how to distribute your financial assets. But what about other assets -- those that can’t be translated into dollars and cents and, in fact, are valuable beyond measure?

These days, more and more people are creating an Ethical Will as a statement of closely held beliefs, values and ideals they wish to pass down to friends and family.

Unlike a Last Will and Testament, an Ethical Will is not a legal document. Often written in letter form, it can serve as the centerpiece of a purposeful estate plan, reminding heirs of the heritage they share and, ultimately, defining your legacy. 

An Ethical Will may contain:

• Expressions of faith and beliefs and the role they’ve played in a person’s life.
• Lessons learned including the impact of specific events and experiences.
• Personal messages of forgiveness, apology and reconciliation.
• Messages of hope and inspiration for those who carry on.

Getting started on an Ethical Will might seem daunting. That’s why Easter Seals has created What I Believe: A Guide to Passing Your Values to Loved Ones to walk you step-by-step through the process.

Simply complete the fields at the right to download the What I Believe Guide.