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Guardian Provision for Minor Children

Taking care of our children is a top priority. Doing what we can to ensure that our children are properly cared for and provided for regardless of what life throws our way is of the utmost importance. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect your children despite the unpredictability of life. For instance, having a guardian provision for your minor children in your Last Will and Testament allows you to name a trusted individual to serve as guardian for your children should you pass away. The ability to carefully consider who should serve in this role can bring you peace of mind knowing the best person for the job will take care of your children should you be unable to do so. It is not, of course, a decision that should be taken lightly. Here are some things you should consider in selecting a guardian for your minor children.

Guardian Provision for Minor Children

Raising children is expensive. When you have minor children, you know that the cost of providing for your children, arranging child care, enrollment in school and extracurricular activities, among other things, adds up quickly. When considering who you want to name as a guardian for your minor child, financial resources should be taken into account. If you have set up something like a trust to provide for your minor children, this should be accounted for as well.

It will also be important to evaluate the location and living situation of a potential guardian selection. The home of the guardian could become the home of your young children. As such, you will want to find out more about the guardian’s living situation. It may also be important to you to investigate things like whether there are good schools nearby.

Raising young children is a long-term commitment. Because your guardian candidate may need to provide, support, and raise your children for years to come, it is important to think about guardian selections in terms of the long haul. This means you will want to look at your guardian candidate’s life now and for the foreseeable future. Would your children fit in with their plans? Would they be willing and able to raise your children indefinitely? These questions will require looking at the age and health of a guardian candidate as well as their life priorities. Do they want to focus on their careers? Is starting a family of their own a priority? How would your children fit in with their plans?

While your guardian choice need not be a parent to still be a good fit for the role of guardian, it is a good idea to consider and talk to them about how they feel about parenting. Are they up for raising children? Do they consider themselves to be caregivers? Additionally, you’ll want to have a solid conversation with a prospective guardian if raising your children with certain religious and/or moral standards is important to you. It may be best if your guardian choice agrees and lives in line with the religious and moral beliefs you want to be taught to your kids.

Minnesota Estate Planning Attorney

A strong estate plan can bring you so much peace of mind. Prepare your loved ones for the road ahead with a comprehensive estate plan. Unique Estate Law can help. Contact us today. From within Hennepin County, Unique Estate Law represents clients throughout Minnesota, including Minneapolis, Bloomington, St. Louis Park, Minnetonka, Wayzata, Chanhassen, and Excelsior.