Choosing Guardians for Your Children
None of us likes to think about this kind of thing, but unfortch picking a guardian for your kids in the event that you and your partner die before they grow up is seriously important. You don't want this crucial decision to be left to the courts, which is what'll happen if you don't put it in writing in a legal document!
So how do you choose the right person? You and your spouse need to sit down and hash it out. Ideally you want to elect someone with the following qualities:
- Pick someone who is ready, willing and able (emotionally and financially) to do the job. You don't want a reluctant caretaker for your precious babes!
- If possible, go for someone your kid already adores. It'll make the transition much smoother!
- Consider whether the person has his or her own kids. You might love the idea of a Brady Bunch scenario or perhaps the thought of tossing your kids in the mix with a bunch of other kiddos might not sound ideal. Your call!
- Pick someone who has the same parenting style you have. If you're a disciplinarian, you probably don't want to leave the kids to your wacky, anything-goes Aunt Wilma!
- Consider location. If the person lives really far away from you, it might be a hardship for your kids to make the move.
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