One of the last things Florida couples want to consider is who would raise their children if something were to happen to them. Unfortunately, it is extremely important to choose a guardian for your child to include in your will or estate plan. This gives peace of mind and provides the court with information about who the parents want to raise their child. There are several things to consider when a guardian is being chosen.
According to NPR, the first thing to do is dedicate first responders, those who would step in if the parents were incapacitated or killed suddenly. If there is no first responder listed, emergency services may be forced to call Child Protective Services and the children may end up in the care of the state even when they have family willing to take them in. These first responders should be aware that they have been chosen and have clear directions on what to do after taking responsibility for the children.
Forbes Magazine suggests that parents make a list of values that are important to them when choosing a guardian for their children. Parents should consider the values that matter most to them and make a list of candidates that will honor those. It is also important to discuss the possibility with the candidate to determine if they are willing to take on the responsibility of raising someone else’s kids.
Finally, the spoken word is not enough to protect the kids if something happens to mom and dad. Guardianship of the children should be included in a legal and binding will, so it is obvious to family members and the courts who is responsible for the children.
