Considerations When Selecting a Guardian for Your Children
Without a doubt, having children alters everything, including estate planning, according to Corona estate planning lawyer Joseph Hudack. Your minor child or children will need to be placed with a new family if you and your spouse pass away or become legally incapacitated and no plans were made in the event of such an emergency. Unsurprisingly, such a significant transition can be upsetting for young children, even if they are put with family members. This trying moment can go much more smoothly if you name a guardian for your kids in your will or other estate planning documents.
Who is a Suitable Guardian?
If you are unable to care for your minor child anymore, a guardian “fills in” for you. Nobody wants it to happen, but a minor child who is left behind will need care if a parent passes away or becomes incapacitated. The selection of a guardian should take into account a number of aspects because of the significant role they play in your family’s life:
-
Common Values.
It is ideal to pick someone who shares your level of religious conviction. For instance, if you are not religious, you might object to someone who demands that your child join and attend church on a regular basis.
-
Parenting Approach.
Choosing someone who will maintain your style is probably the greatest fit, whether you run a tight ship at home or prefer a laissez-faire approach to raising children.
-
Involvement.
Someone who travels frequently won’t be able to routinely attend your children’s soccer games, gymnastics competitions, band concerts, or live theater plays, which is a crucial aspect of being their guardian.
-
Degree of Energy.
It’s crucial to have the endurance necessary to keep up with your child, especially when they’re younger.
-
Some Other Kids.
While the presence of children by a potential guardian should not be a deal-breaker, you should think about how the dynamics will change if the family has further children, especially when it comes to the children’s ages.
Additional Things to Think About
You can designate more than one guardian for your children, just as you can choose several people to handle the estate’s finances and your younger children’s daily needs. Depending on the conditions of your family, you might choose to designate one guardian for each child. That being said, establishing guardianship in this manner may cause your children to be split up, which is typically a bad outcome. Even if you have left money behind for their care, choosing someone with the means to take care of your kids should still be a priority.
Choosing someone who is young enough to be able to care for your child until adulthood and who is healthy enough to handle the rigors of parenting a child are crucial considerations that should be made.
Estate Planning Attorney from Hudack Law is Ready to Help
Once you have chosen the guardian for your child, speak with a knowledgeable estate planning lawyer. We can design the legal paperwork you require to make this binding, as well as a customized estate plan that will safeguard your loved ones in the event that you are unable to do so yourself. Contact Hudack Law today at (877) 314-4309 right away. For all of your Estate Planning requirements, kindly visit areas of service (open link in a new tab) or hudacklaw.com (open link in a new tab) toll-free.