No parent wants to pass away or become incapacitated when their child is a minor. This is why you should choose a guardian before the worst happens. It is hard to imagine someone else other than you raising your child. But if you appoint a guardian for your kids, you would be certain they are with people you can trust.
Failing to pick a guardian means the court will choose one who may or may not be your choice for a guardian. Talking about death can be difficult to have with your spouse, but it is worthwhile. Discuss with your spouse and make a list of a few close relatives, or you can even opt for a close friend. A Boca Raton Probate Attorney can help you make the right decision.
Tips on choosing the guardian of your child
- You do not necessarily need to opt for a couple.
Parents want their children to grow up around a mother as well as a father figure, which is why they naturally gravitate toward couples when choosing a guardian for their kids. After all, a married couple seems like a better choice than a bachelor. However, you should keep the divorce factor in mind. Even the best couples can go their separate ways.
When choosing a couple, you must keep a divorce in mind and consider what happens to your kids after their split. Moreover, you should also keep the couple’s children in mind. Ask yourself, “Would your children be able to fit into the family?”
- Elderly parents are not the right choice.
Many people choose their parents or their spouse’s parents as guardians because they trust them to raise their children the right way. While this is a reasonable argument for choosing grandparents, it might not be practical. However, consider how old your parents may be when your children go to high school.
Your parents might be okay with raising your kids for now, but they may be dealing with their own health issues when the time comes.
- Do not name only one guardian.
Even though your first or second choice of the guardian may tell you now that they will take care of your child when you are unable to anymore, things and situations might change in the future. You never know what the next day will bring. Selecting 3 or 4 guardians secures your child’s future.
