As a parent, the last thing you want to think about is passing away before your children have grown up. Nonetheless, it’s important to cover every angle so that your children are always guaranteed the best possible upbringing.
One thing you can do is name guardians for your kids in your will. Who exactly should you consider for this role?
Family members
Close family members can make the ideal guardians for your children. You may consider naming your own parents. They raised you and your siblings, and have always been around children, so who would be better?
Before making a decision, it’s important to consider the age, physical and mental well-being of your own parents. Raising a child full-time can be demanding. Are they really up to the task?
Other options
You are not obliged to choose family members. You can even get some input from your child. Is there a close family friend who almost feels like a family member? Have they already formed a close bond with your child? Perhaps they have their own children of that age, so adding another to the household if necessary may not be too much of a take on.
Whoever you choose to be a guardian for your minor children, it’s important to talk to them about it first. They need to be willing to commit to overseeing the development of your children. Remember, you are also not limited to naming only one guardian. You can have alternates.
As you craft your estate plan, it can be very helpful to have legal guidance on your side to help you explore all the available options. You may discover that you have more choices than you imagine.
