Ethical Video Wills
Your Story
Leave more than your belongings.
Leave your words.
A legal will can pass on your property and possessions.
An ethical video will allows you to pass on something just as personal. Your voice, your values, your stories and the words you want your family to remember.
Your Story professionally records your message in the privacy and comfort of your own home. You can create one video for your family or separate private messages for the individual people in your life.
What is an ethical video will?
An Ethical Video Will is a personal recorded message for your family, friends or future generations.
It can include the stories that shaped you, the lessons you have learned, the values you hope will continue and the things you may not always find easy to say in everyday life.
It may also provide an opportunity to explain the thinking behind important decisions in your legal will.
Sometimes it is called an ethical will, legacy message or legacy video. It can sit alongside your legal will and estate plan by passing on the personal part of your legacy.
It is not a legal document and does not replace a properly prepared legal will.
Watch this short video to learn what an ethical video will is, what you might include and how we professionally record your message.
Say the things that matter
There are some things a legal document cannot communicate.
You may want to tell your children what becoming their parent meant to you; or want your grandchildren to hear stories about where your family came from.
You may want to thank a friend who stood beside you during an important time in your life.
Or perhaps you simply want to say:
I love you.
I am proud of you.
Thank you.
Here is what I learned.
I am sorry.
Here is what I hope for you.
You can record one message for your whole family or separate private messages for your partner, children, grandchildren, friends or anyone else who matters to you.
An ethical video will gives you the opportunity to share these words in your own way, while you have the time and space to say them properly.
It does not need to be formal or perfectly written.
It simply needs to sound like you.
Help your family understand your decisions
A legal will explains what you have decided.
It may not always explain why.
When family members do not understand the reasons behind a decision, they can feel confused, hurt or overlooked. Misunderstandings can become disagreements and, in some circumstances, lead to costly legal disputes.
An ethical video will gives you an opportunity to provide some personal context.
You may want to explain:
Anything involving the distribution of your estate should first be discussed with your solicitor or estate planner. This helps ensure your recorded message supports your legal documents and does not unintentionally contradict them.
A video cannot guarantee that your legal will will not be disputed. However, it may help your family understand that your choices were thoughtful and intentional.
How it works
1
Get in touch
Let us know who the video is for and whether you would like one family video or several private messages.
2
We come to you and film
We bring the professional filming equipment to your home and record your messages during a private one hour session.
3
We edit and deliver your videos
We professionally edit your recording into one complete video or separate private messages.
You can keep the videos yourself or arrange for them to be stored with your estate planner, solicitor or another trusted person.
Storing your Ethical Video Will
Your completed video or videos are provided directly to you.
You may choose to store copies with:
Your estate planner.
Your solicitor.
A trusted family member or friend.
Your executor.
A secure digital storage provider.
Frequently asked questions
Your ethical video will questions answered
Is an ethical video will legally binding?
No, an ethical video will is a personal message and does not replace a properly prepared legal will.
Your legal will contains the formal instructions relating to your estate. Your ethical video will allows you to share your stories, feelings, values and reasons behind certain decisions.
Can an ethical video will prevent my will from being disputed?
It cannot guarantee that your legal will will not be challenged; however, it may help reduce misunderstandings by giving your family more context about your wishes and the thinking behind your decisions.
You should speak with your solicitor or estate planner before recording anything about the distribution of your assets.
Why do I need one if I already have a legal will?
A legal will explains what should happen to your assets and possessions, whereas an ethical video will allows you to explain who you are, what matters to you and what you want the important people in your life to remember.
The two serve different purposes and can sit alongside each other.
What should I talk about?
You can talk about anything that feels meaningful. This might include messages of love, life lessons, family stories, personal values, hopes for the future and messages for individual family members or friends.
You may also want to explain the thinking behind decisions made in your legal will.
Do I need to write a script?
No, you are welcome to bring notes, a letter or a few points you would like to remember.
The most meaningful messages are usually the ones that sound natural and genuine.
Do you help write my message?
Our role is to film and edit your message professionally. We do not write your legal instructions or tell you what decisions to make.
Your solicitor or estate planner can advise you about anything relating to your legal will, estate or distribution decisions.
Can I record separate messages for different people?
Yes, you can record one video for everybody or several shorter private messages.
The individual messages can be edited and supplied as separate video files.
How many messages can I record during the session?
You can record as many messages as comfortably fit within your one hour filming session.
The number will depend on the length of each message.
Where will the filming take place?
We usually come to your home, where you can speak in a private and familiar environment.
Another suitable private location can be arranged if required.
Can someone be with me while I record?
Yes, you can have a partner, family member, friend or trusted adviser with you.
You can also record your messages privately if you feel more comfortable speaking alone.
What happens to my video after it is completed?
Your finished video or videos are provided to you digitally.
You may choose to keep copies with trusted family members or arrange for them to be stored with your solicitor, estate planner, executor or another trusted person.
Can you work with my estate planner?
Yes, we can work with your estate planner or solicitor when arranging how the completed videos are delivered and stored.
Can you recommend an estate planner?
Yes, we work with trusted estate planning professionals and can make an introduction if you need assistance preparing or updating your legal estate documents.
Can I update my ethical video will later?
Yes, families change, circumstances change. Sometimes what you want to say changes too.
You can record an updated message or add new individual videos whenever you need to.
Your family may inherit your belongings.
Give them your words as well.
Book a private one hour filming session in your own home.