Choosing a Guardian for Your Kids

Wondering who to name as your child's guardian? Here are a few points to consider as you make this all-important decision.

Are the potential guardian's child-rearing philosophies similar to your own? Do you think he or she would make a good guardian?

Is the potential guardian youthful and energetic enough to assume responsibility for caring for a young child?

Is the potential guardian genuinely willing to step in and assume this responsibility for raising your child? Or has he or she agreed out of a sense of obligation alone?

Is this person likely to outlive you and your partner or is he or she considerably older than you and/or in poor health?

If you plan to choose a married couple to serve as your child's guardians, which party would you want to gain custody of your child if the couple were to separate or divorce?

Note: Be sure to name an alternate choice just in case your first choice of a guardian falls through (e.g., the person you have designated is in poor health, dealing with a family emergency or otherwise unable to assume the responsibility for caring for your child).