by Tim Borchers, Esq., EPLS, AEP^®

“If something bad happened to me, or I suddenly passed away, who would take care of my children?”

It’s not a pleasant thought, but if you’re a parent, it’s highly likely that you’ve asked yourself this question numerous times. Appointing a legal guardian for your kids is a weighty decision — but it’s a decision that must be made, nonetheless.

By definition, a guardian is needed while your children are legally considered minors; therefore, the guardian must be an adult.

It’s their responsibility, in the event of your untimely death, to care for your children until they reach the legal age of adulthood. How? By making decisions about your children’s health, education, discipline and, if they are also appointed a trustee, inheritance.

As a prerequisite, you must fully trust the person you nominate to be your kids’ legal guardian. But it’s also essential to remember that guardians need not be fountains of child-rearing wisdom; they just need to be decent and responsible people. If they share many of your values, that’s a plus.

Whether you are creating a will or simply updating it to reflect your wishes as they evolve over time, make sure you take the opportunity to nominate your choice of a permanent legal guardian for your children. It’s an important part of your estate plan that can provide peace of mind for you and your family.