How to Choose a Guardian for Your Minor Children

One of the hardest things for parents to do is to think about dying prematurely and leaving their minor children behind. I think this is one of the main reasons why parents hesitate to get their estate plan done. However, just because you refuse to think about it doesn’t mean it cannot happen. One of the best things you can do for your minor children is to prepare for the worst. This includes appointing a guardian for them.

Who Should I Appoint Guardian of my Minor Children?

When appointing a guardian for your minor children, you want to think long-term. You want to choose someone who is young and likely to be around for a while. You will also want to have a backup plan (or several!) in case your first choice is not able to take on the role, either due to death or incapacity.

Just as you can say who you do want to be your child’s guardian, you can also say who you do not want to be considered. This will help to settle any potential future arguments, especially if your family members disagree with your decision.

Factors to Consider When Appointing a Guardian for your Minor Children

When considering who to appoint, you want to make sure your children will grow up loved and cared for.

Values

The guardian could be raising your children, so you want to choose someone who holds values close to yours. These include religious values, morals, educational views, and parenting style.

Parenting Skills

You want to make sure that the guardian you choose is good with kids and is able to take care of them like a parent. Your best friend or sister may be willing to take your kids for an afternoon of babysitting every now and then, but do they have the parenting stamina to love and care for your child 24/7/365?

Similarly, you may want to consider what stage of life your chosen guardian is in. If they are older, they may not be willing and/or able to start over the process of rearing children. If they are younger, they may be at a point where they are focused on their career, not on raising children. You will want to consider the age and stage of your chosen guardian to make sure that they will be able to care for your children appropriately.

Location

You may want to consider where your guardian is located, as that is likely where your children will be moving. Are they in a safe neighborhood with good schools? Are they located in a geographic area that you prefer your children to grow up in? These are important considerations when choosing the guardian for your children.

Financial Situation

You may also want to consider the financial situation of your chosen guardian. As you know, having children is expensive and you do not want to choose a guardian with no financial means to care for your children. If you have a guardian you believe will raise your kids similar to your method and they would love them, but they cannot afford them, you may want to consider setting up a trust for your children so your chosen guardian can care for your children without worrying about how to afford them.

You can also appoint a guardian of the person and guardian of the estate, if you would like for the person who cares for your children to be different from the person who controls the money you have left behind for their care.

Naming a Guardian for Your Minor Children

If you are in the state of Florida and need help with naming a guardian for your minor child(ren), contact a local attorney today. At Wildoner Law, PLLC, we offer remote and in-person services to best work with you and your busy schedule.