Most adults finally get around to handling estate planning once they start having children. An important step parents have to take when doing this is to appoint a guardian for their minor children. There are some factors that you should keep in mind when you start thinking about who you’re going to select.
The age of a prospective guardian can be important. If you select an older person for this role, then they may be in poor health or nearing death by the time that they’re called upon to assume their duties. Their approach to parenting may be a bit dated as well.
On the flip side of the coin, an older individual may have more time to spend with your kids. They may also be more financially stable than a younger guardian.
Another factor that you’ll want to take into consideration is where your prospective guardian lives. You can’t expect someone to drop everything and relocate to another city to care for your kids.
It’s important that you’re comfortable with the idea of your child being raised in their city. If you’re not, then you’ll want to pick a guardian that lives here in St. George, so they don’t have to travel.
Pay close attention to your prospective guardian’s family life. Observe how solid their relationship is with their spouse. Pay close attention to how financially responsible that they are. Ask yourself if they could provide your kids with the same lifestyle that you’d raise them with.
If they have children, then it’s important that their ages and personalities mesh well with those of your kids. It’s equally important that their religious affiliation and parenting style is acceptable to you as well.
Before you appoint anyone as a guardian to your minor children, you should first discuss the prospect of doing so with them.
Selecting a guardian for your kids is a big decision to make. It can protect your loved ones from having to go to court and your children from having to be bounced around from home to home if you make it early on though. An estate planning attorney can explain to you why you should appoint a guardian and how to express your wishes in a way that will be accepted by the Utah courts.