When you have minor children in the house, having some type of guardianship agreement, in the event that something happens to you and your spouse, is extremely important. But how do you decide who to pick? Here are some factors to keep in mind when you are selecting a guardian for your child.
WILLING AND ABLE
The most important thing your guardian needs is being willing and able to take on the responsibility. This means they are willing to take on the responsibility of caring for your child as well as being able to handle it financially. It’s especially important to sit down with your options and straight out ask if they are willing to take on this responsibility. Never assume, even if it’s been mentioned in passing that they would be willing to do so.
SIMILAR VALUES
When choosing someone who may be raising your child, step back and take a look at their values. This could be anything from how they parent, their religion, overall goals, hobbies, and more. The closer these align with your values, the more likely your child is to be raised in a household similar to the one you would have had.
LOCATION
While you can make requests for where your child is raised, it’s ultimately up to the guardians to make the decision that works best for them. If the person you want to be your child’s guardian doesn’t live nearby, are you okay with your child being moved there?
GET IT IN WRITING
Once you have a decision that all parties are happy with, you need to get the agreement in writing. If something were to happen to you without this paperwork in place, your wishes may not be honored due to individual state laws. Talk to an attorney if you aren’t sure where to get started
