Clients making last wills and other estate arrangements know that they are creating very meaningful documents for their families. Oftentimes, wills are accompanied with family "love letters" expressing in plain terms the clients' thoughts that occasion their own deaths.
One client in particular did some research before drafting his own will and discovered that common practice in the last century was to begin a will with a Christian prologue rather than the modern, dry "this is my will, revoking all other wills before it, period." I'll publish his preferred language below.
My question for the client (or attorney) reader is: would you like to be approached by your lawyer about inclusion of a religious or Christian prologue to your will, or would that sound to your ears like your lawyer were proselytizing? How best would the question be asked?
The comment field is open. Thank you for your responses.
In the name of God, Amen. I, John Q. Testator, of the town of Anytown, Some County, Georgia, being weak in body, but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be to God, calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all mankind once to die, do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament. That is to say, principally and first of all, trusting in Jesus Christ for my eternal salvation, I give my soul to God who gave it to me, and my body I commend to the earth to be buried in a decent Christian burial at the discretion of my Executor, nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty hand of God. And as touching such worldly state wherewith it has pleased God to bless me in this life, I give, demise, and dispose of in the following manner and form.
One client in particular did some research before drafting his own will and discovered that common practice in the last century was to begin a will with a Christian prologue rather than the modern, dry "this is my will, revoking all other wills before it, period." I'll publish his preferred language below.
My question for the client (or attorney) reader is: would you like to be approached by your lawyer about inclusion of a religious or Christian prologue to your will, or would that sound to your ears like your lawyer were proselytizing? How best would the question be asked?
The comment field is open. Thank you for your responses.
In the name of God, Amen. I, John Q. Testator, of the town of Anytown, Some County, Georgia, being weak in body, but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be to God, calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all mankind once to die, do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament. That is to say, principally and first of all, trusting in Jesus Christ for my eternal salvation, I give my soul to God who gave it to me, and my body I commend to the earth to be buried in a decent Christian burial at the discretion of my Executor, nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty hand of God. And as touching such worldly state wherewith it has pleased God to bless me in this life, I give, demise, and dispose of in the following manner and form.
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