Choosing someone to care for your children if something ever happens to you is not easy. If fact, for most parents, it is one of the hardest choices to even think about. But it is also one of the most important.
If you and the other parent were no longer able there, who would raise your children? It is an question many people avoid, often assuming a close relative would step in. That might – but it is not guaranteed. Unless you name a guardian in your will, that decision will be left to a judge.
Courts do their best, but they do not know your family the way you do. Judges tend to look for someone who seems stable, responsible and financially secure. And while those are important traits, they are not the full picture. Parenting is also about trust, love, and shared values. It is about knowing the person you choose will do their best to raise your children the way you hoped they would be raised.
Would the court choose someone whose parent style you agree with? Would they share your views on education, faith, or discipline? Do they have the kind of relationship with your kids that would make this incredible hard situation even a little more manageable?
Only you can answer those questions. Only you should be making that call.
When you name a guardian in your will, you get to make that decision on your own terms, you can choose someone you believe in. You can have honest conversations with them now, while you are here, about what matters to you and what you want for your children. You can even make it clear who you would not want in that role, which might be just as important.
That is not about expecting the worst. It is about being ready, just in case. And making sure your kids are cared for someone you chose – not someone chosen by a court.
If you have children and haven’t named a guardian yet, it is worth sitting down and thinking about. You do not need all the answers right now. But taking that first step means your kids won’t be left in legal limbo during an already painful time.
If you want help with that process, we are here. We can talk through your options and help you put a plan together that gives you peace of mind. No one knows your children the way you do. And no one is better qualified to make decisions than you.
