Advice for New Moms and Dads: What to Consider When Choosing a Guardian for Your Baby

When choosing a guardian for your child, consider important issues such as:

• • Is the proposed guardian willing and able to serve?
  • Does the proposed guardian share a similar child-rearing philosophy?
  • What are the proposed guardian’s religious, educational, social or moral views?
  • How old are they?  Grandparents may not always be the best choice, so think beyond the obvious choices to extended family or friends that you know and trust.
  • Would the proposed guardian’s location allow your child to remain in his or her community or schools?
  • Who will love your child as unconditionally as you do?
  • What is the proposed guardian’s financial ability?  Will your child have a trust, assets, or life insurance policy that will cover their lifelong expenses and care, or do you need a guardian who can provide for the child financially?
  • Do you want the same guardian to be the guardian of the actual child (guardianship of person) and also the guardian of the child’s finances and assets (guardianship of property)?
  • Who will be the back-up guardian if your first choice is unable or unwilling to serve as the child’s guardian?

Give yourself the peace of mind of knowing that you have made this important decision for your child.  Have your estate planning attorney draft at least a Last Will and Testament and perhaps also a Declaration of Pre-Need Guardian, a Living Will or a Trust depending on your values and needs.  If your proposed guardian’s values changed or you later think they will no longer be a good choice, you can always change it.  Call me for a free phone consultation to discuss what’s best for you and your family.