Appointing a guardian
2
IWC Estate Planning & Management Ltd. Regulated by the Society of Will Writers & Estate Planning Practitioners Registered Office: Suite 43-45 Airport House, Purley Way, Croydon, CR0 0XZ. Registered in England No. 4532330 Appointing A Guardian If you have children, it is important to choose a guardian for them, should you die before they are legally old enough to look after themselves. It's not a pleasant thing to think about, but it is essential to get it right. And if you don't choose a guardian and the worst does happen, a court will pick one for you. There could be court battles between family members, which would impact everyone left behind. Do you really want that for your children? You don't necessarily have to pick your closest family member (a parent or sibling, perhaps) if they are not the right people to look after your children. Think further, think of other family members such as cousins, aunts and uncles. Think of the person you would most like your children to live with, and to learn from. And a guardian doesn't even have to be a family member. Good friends, especially those who have been with your children all the way from pregnancy to birth and beyond, can be perfect guardians. What is important is that the people you leave your children with have similar ideas and ways of parenting, or could learn them if they are not parents themselves, so that your children, who will obviously be going through a hard time, won't be unnecessarily traumatised. It's not about who has the most money or the largest house. If this worries you, why not ensure that your children are financially secure by naming them as beneficiaries of your life insurance, or setting up a trust that the guardian can use to take care of them until they are old enough to take over the account themselves. Do your children like the people you are considering as becoming their guardians should you die? Naming people who are great parents, who have money, who will work in a similar way to you is all very well, but if your children don't enjoy spending time with them, then it might be worth looking elsewhere. It is essential that your children's lives are disrupted as little as possible. Another question to ask is whether the people you would like to be your children's guardians would actually want to do it. Perhaps, as much as they love you and your children, becoming a guardian would completely disrupt their lives. The best way to combat this issue is to be honest;
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Transcript of Appointing a guardian
IWC Estate Planning & Management Ltd. Regulated by the Society of Will Writers & Estate Planning Practitioners Registered Office: Suite 43-45 Airport House, Purley Way, Croydon, CR0 0XZ. Registered in England No. 4532330
Appointing A Guardian
If you have children, it is important to choose a guardian for them, should you die before they are
legally old enough to look after themselves. It's not a pleasant thing to think about, but it is
essential to get it right. And if you don't choose a guardian and the worst does happen, a court
will pick one for you. There could be court battles between family members, which would
impact everyone left behind. Do you really want that for your children?
You don't necessarily have to pick your closest family member (a parent or sibling, perhaps) if
they are not the right people to look after your children. Think further, think of other family
members such as cousins, aunts and uncles. Think of the person you would most like your
children to live with, and to learn from.
And a guardian doesn't even have to be a family member. Good friends, especially those who
have been with your children all the way from pregnancy to birth and beyond, can be perfect
guardians. What is important is that the people you leave your children with have similar ideas
and ways of parenting, or could learn them if they are not parents themselves, so that your
children, who will obviously be going through a hard time, won't be unnecessarily traumatised.
It's not about who has the most money or the largest house. If this worries you, why not ensure
that your children are financially secure by naming them as beneficiaries of your life insurance,
or setting up a trust that the guardian can use to take care of them until they are old enough to
take over the account themselves.
Do your children like the people you are considering as becoming their guardians should you
die? Naming people who are great parents, who have money, who will work in a similar way to
you is all very well, but if your children don't enjoy spending time with them, then it might be
worth looking elsewhere. It is essential that your children's lives are disrupted as little as
possible.
Another question to ask is whether the people you would like to be your children's guardians
would actually want to do it. Perhaps, as much as they love you and your children, becoming a
guardian would completely disrupt their lives. The best way to combat this issue is to be honest;
IWC Estate Planning & Management Ltd. Regulated by the Society of Will Writers & Estate Planning Practitioners Registered Office: Suite 43-45 Airport House, Purley Way, Croydon, CR0 0XZ. Registered in England No. 4532330
let them know you are writing your will, and that you want to name a guardian for your children.
See if they are willing to do the job. If not, don't force the issue.
Talking to your children about who could be their guardian is also important. If you feel they are
old enough to discuss it, then ask them who they would or wouldn't want, and find out their
reasons.
Call us for a quote, instant help or impartial advice on Freephone
0800 612 6105 or 020 8150 2010
