Boulder Estate Planning Legal Blog
There are many reasons why choosing a guardian for your child is easier said than done. Among them is the fact that you need to think about what you want to happen in the event that you are no longer around to raise your child.
Choosing a guardian for your child sounds easy enough, until you actually sit down to make a final decision. At that point, you realize that you can’t just choose the first person who comes to mind. Instead, you need to consider all your options with the idea that you can’t make a poor decision.
Here are a handful of tips that can put you on the right path:
- Choose a guardian who has the same approach to parenting as you. This will ensure that your child has stability as he or she grows, which is imperative in the event that you pass on.
- Consider the benefits of choosing more than one guardian. This isn’t something you have to consider, but it could be the right decision. For example, if you have a large family, you may realize that asking one person to be the guardian for all your children is too much.
- Focus on longevity and health. It’s something many people overlook, but you need to choose a guardian who isn’t “too” old and/or in bad health. There is a lot that goes into raising a child, and you must make sure your guardian is up to the challenge.
- Get it in writing. An oral agreement for a person to be the guardian of your child is not good enough. Once you figure this out, you need to get it in writing. This will give you peace of mind, knowing that if something goes wrong the right person will be able to step in and take care of your child.
These tips will definitely help you when choosing a guardian for your child. This doesn’t mean you won’t face any challenges, but at least you’ll have an idea of what you should do along the way.
Once your child turns age 18, you no longer have to worry about this. Instead, if you were to pass on, you know that your child is in position to care for him- or herself.
Don’t wait any longer to choose a guardian for your child. Learn more about the legal process and who makes the most sense to take on this responsibility.
