SIX TIPS FOR SELECTING A GUARDIAN FOR MINORS
THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS OF ESTATE PLANNING. SELECTING A GUARDIAN TO RAISE YOUR KIDS IS NOT HARD FOR SOME PEOPLE, BUT FOR OTHERS, I OFFER THE FOLLOWING CONSIDERATIONS:
- PARENTING SKILLS: RECOGNIZE THAT YOUR CHILDREN WILL BE TRAUMATIZED BY YOUR DEATHS. THEIR GUARDIANS WILL NEED PATIENCE AND COMPASSION.
- LOCATION: WHERE DOES GUARDIAN LIVE: WHAT CITY? WHAT SCHOOL DISTRICT?
- RELIGION, POLITICS, MORAL BELIEFS
- GUARDIAN’S AGE / WARD’S AGE
- GUARDIAN’S LIVING ARRANGEMENTS. ARE THERE OTHER MINORS IN THE HOUSE? IS THE HOUSE BIG ENOUGH?
- GUARDIAN’S FINANCIAL SITUATION LEAVE THEM SOME LIFE INSURANCE OR OTHER MONEY – BEST IF IN TRUST
AND IF YOUR KIDS ARE OLD/MATURE ENOUGH, YOU MAY WANT TO ASK FOR THEIR INPUT. FINALLY, DON’T FORGET TO HAVE A “BACK UP” GUARDIAN.
NOTE – YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO THIS IN A WILL → YOU CAN JUST SIGN A NOTARIZED APPOINTMENT OF GUARDIAN.
NOTE – SOME OF THESE PRINCIPLES APPLY TO GUARDIANS OF DISABLED ADULTS.
