An ethical will, also called a legacy letter, is a personal, non-legal document where you pass down your values, life lessons, and wishes to your loved ones. You do not need one to have a valid estate plan, but many people choose to write one alongside their legal will and trust documents, since it covers what a legal will cannot.
Unlike a last will and testament, which is a legal document distributing your property after death, an ethical will is not admitted into evidence by a probate court and does not distribute property. It exists purely to share what mattered to you.
What an Ethical Will Actually Covers
An ethical will can include expressions of love and gratitude, life lessons, family history, personal beliefs, and hopes for future generations. It can take the form of a letter, a recorded video, or even a simple note; there is no required format. It is separate from, and does not replace, your legal will.
A Long Tradition Across Faiths
The concept has deep roots in several religious traditions. According to My Jewish Learning, Jewish parents have passed down wisdom and values for centuries through documents called tzavaot, or ethical wills, which originally covered practical matters like burial instructions and later broadened to include reflections on family traditions and values. Other faith traditions have similar customs of passing down legacy letters or reflections alongside more formal estate documents.
What to Put in an Ethical Will
- Expressions of love, gratitude, or forgiveness toward specific people
- Life lessons, personal achievements, and things you wish you had done differently
- Family history, traditions, photographs, or recordings you want preserved
- An explanation of the choices you made in your legal will, if you think it will bring your family comfort or context
A Worked Example
Imagine a grandmother who immigrated as a young adult, built a small business from nothing, and wants her grandchildren to understand what that struggle actually looked like, not just that she worked hard. A legal will can leave them the business and the house. An ethical will is where she can write down the specific years she almost lost everything, why she made the choices she did, and what she hopes they carry forward. That context often means more to a family than the assets themselves, and it rarely gets written down unless someone makes a deliberate decision to do it.
How to Start Writing One
There is no required format, but a simple approach helps most people get past a blank page. Start with the people, not the topics: list who you most want to address, then write one short section to each person covering what you appreciate about them, a lesson you learned the hard way, and anything you hope for their future. Keep drafts rough. An ethical will is not graded on polish, and many people find that a first attempt written in one sitting, then lightly edited later, feels more honest than something over-revised.
When to Write One
There is no required timing. Many people write an ethical will at the same time they complete their legal will and trust documents, simply because they are already thinking about their legacy. It can also be updated over time as your perspective and experiences change, the same way you might revisit a regular will.
If you have not started your legal will yet, our frequently asked questions about wills guide is a good starting point, and if end-of-life medical wishes are also on your mind, see do you need a living will.Frequently Asked Questions
Is an ethical will legally binding?
No. It is not a legal document and is not enforceable in probate court. It exists to share values and personal wishes, not to distribute property.
Do I need an ethical will in addition to a regular will?
It is optional. A last will and testament handles your property and legal wishes; an ethical will is a personal addition for anyone who wants to pass down something beyond assets.
What format should an ethical will take?
Whatever format feels right to you: a written letter, a recorded video, or even handwritten notes. There is no required structure.
Can I include an ethical will with my online estate plan?
Yes. Many people write it alongside their legal documents and store it with their will and other estate planning paperwork so family members find it together.
Should I explain my will's decisions in an ethical will?
You can. Some people use an ethical will to explain the reasoning behind specific bequests, which can help reduce confusion or tension among beneficiaries.
Who should receive a copy of my ethical will?
There is no rule requiring you to share it with everyone at once. Some people give a copy to each recipient individually, while others leave it with their other estate documents so their executor or family finds it after they pass. If you plan to reference specific people by name, consider whether you want it read privately or shared as a group.
Is an ethical will the same thing as a letter of intent?
They overlap but usually serve different purposes. A letter of intent is often more practical, covering instructions for a guardian raising your minor children or notes for your executor, while an ethical will is more personal and reflective. Some people combine elements of both in one document, which is fine since neither is a legal filing with a required format.
Pair It With Your Legal Plan
An ethical will is a meaningful complement to, not a substitute for, your legal estate plan. Complete your legal will with FastWill, and consider writing an ethical will alongside it while you are already thinking through your legacy.
