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3 factors to consider when choosing a guardian of your minor children

On Behalf of | Mar 27, 2023 | Estate Planning |

If you have minor children, it will help to plan for how they will be raised should you die or become incapacitated. You want your kids to be in the best hands. Thus, you should designate a reliable guardian when creating documents for your estate plan.

The following are three factors to consider when choosing a guardian.

Parenting skills

It’s essential to choose someone with parenting skills similar to yours. Look at how your loved ones are with kids to identify who you share parenting values with. However, ensure the parties you consider are willing to raise your kids.

You should not make decisions depending on closeness. A friend may be a more suitable option than a family member.

Location

The location of the guardian you choose is crucial, especially if you have younger kids. It may be easier for them to cope with your absence if they remain in their school and neighborhood. It can be impractical to choose someone who lives in another town or state.

However, if your current best option lives far away, you can still select them. Your kids may be older and more understanding when the time comes.  Besides, you can always choose a different guardian should circumstances change.

Alternate option

You should consider choosing a primary guardian and an alternate one. This way, if anything happens to the primary one that they can’t raise your kids as intended, the alternate one may assume the guardian’s responsibilities. 

Guardianship designations involve making crucial decisions. You should not make decisions based on closeness but on values, willingness to raise your kids and location. Further, you may need to compromise with the other parent. It will help to get legal help to make the right moves.