One of the primary reasons for creating a will is to ensure that your loved ones are taken care of when you are no longer around. If you are a parent to minor children, it is even more important that you have a will. Besides ensuring that your little ones have an inheritance on their names, a will also lets you appoint a guardian for their care should something happen to both parents before your children become adults.
A guardian is a person designated to take care of your minor children should you and the other parent pass on or become incapacitated. Given the enormous responsibilities the potential guardian is likely to assume, the decision to appoint one should never be taken lightly.
Here are two things you need to keep in mind when designating a guardian for your little one.
Take the process seriously
If you do not have a will yet, it is important that you create one as soon as possible. Things happen unexpectedly, and the last thing you want is a situation where the government has to decide who takes the custody of your minor children should something happen to you and the other parent. It is important that you (together with the other parent) invest time researching potential guardians before settling on one.
Come up with a list, then check it carefully
The search for a guardian should begin by listing the traits you are looking for in one. What moral and spiritual values are you looking for in a potential guardian? And how old do you want potential donors to be?
Ideally, you want a guardian who shares the same values as you do. Additionally, you want to designate a fairly younger guardian for your child. While an older guardian like your parents may be a great choice, it is important that you take into account their state of health both in the present and the near future. Obviously, nominating your own aging parents or grandparents may not be a great idea.
No one wants to imagine their child under someone else’s care. However, designating a guardian for your minor child gives you peace of mind knowing that your young one will be cared for by the person or couple of your choosing.