How Do You Choose the Best Guardian for your Children?

It’s not an easy thing to consider the possibility that you may not live to see your children grow up and start their own lives. No one wants to think about their mortality, but the fact of the matter is that we must consider these things when we have young children to raise. One of the best gifts that you can give to your children is thinking about who would be the proper guardian for them in the event that you became incapacitated or passed away. They are several questions that you need to consider before choosing a guardian. It might seem reasonable or customary to pick the closest family member, however they may not be the right person for the long job of raising kids. Let’s look at a few factors to consider before you make your selection.

First, make sure that the person you choose is of legal age. Even though you aren’t planning to pass away today, you just never know when that could happen. You don’t want to choose someone who may not yet be an adult by that time.

One of the most important factors to consider is whether or not the prospective guardian really has a concern for your children’s welfare. The unfortunate fact is that sometimes family members may not be the best choice for a guardian if they aren’t close to the children now. You want someone who has a genuine care and concern about the welfare of your kids.

It’s also important to consider whether or not the guardian is physically able to handle the job. Sometimes, older parents may not be the best choice simply because they are not physically able to run after small children. You also want to make sure that the person has the time. For instance, if you have a sibling who would be a good selection but has a very high powered job that causes them to travel a lot, they may not have the time necessary to devote to your kids.

Finally, it’s important to make sure that your potential guardian has the assets necessary to raise your children. You don’t want to choose someone who has financial difficulties or cannot manage money as that might not be the best situation for your kids.

There are many other factors to consider when choosing a guardian for your children. A good estate planning attorney can help you make the selection based upon different criteria. Remember that a family member may not always be the best choice; in fact, you may have a good friend that meets your needs better.