While no one wants to think the worst can happen, it’s essential that you plan and provide for a life for your minor children should you and/or your spouse pass away unexpectedly. If you’re a grandparent caring for a young child, or in another unique situation, the same applies in order to safeguard the health and well-being of youth in your care.
As you consider who would make the ideal guardian, you should contemplate factors such as that person’s values and morals, religious tradition, if they are willing and able to shoulder such a responsibility, age, living situation, and similar. You should also take to heart considerations that will directly affect your minor children, such as whether they’d have to move and/or switch schools, and if they’d even want to live with your chosen guardian.
Thankfully, none of these decisions have to be a solo endeavor. Instead, it’s nice to know that there exists a trusted and reputable Daytona Beach wills lawyer who can guide you through the guardianship and estate planning process. Learn more with this insight.
1) Know the Process
As mentioned, there’s no way to control what might happen from one day to the next. While it may not be pleasant to think about something bad occurring, ignoring the possibility altogether could put your minor children in an unsavory scenario. Simply stated, without written provisions in your will, youth could end up in foster care, or a person with whom you wouldn’t want your children associated in the best of times.
However, when you reach out to a dependable estate planning attorney in Daytona Beach, you can take detailed and legally-binding steps to ensuring the safety of your loved ones, and also the equitable distribution of your property and assets.
2) Select a Trusted and Dependable Individual
The best way to get started with the selection of an appropriate guardian is to think about your own values, and how you’d want your minor children to be raised in the event of your untimely passing. So, consider what values, morals, religious beliefs, and other qualities you most want in a guardian.
You should also think of those persons who have already established a meaningful and loving bond with your child or children. This foundation of trust would make the transition smoother. You’ll also want to ensure that the person you choose is able to take on the responsibility — emotionally, physically, financially, and otherwise.
3) Envision Life for Your Minor Children
Now’s the time when it’s best to consider what life might be like for your minor children in your permanent absence. What kind of person would you hope they’d become, and how do you envision their life and opportunities playing out in terms of schooling, finances, interpersonal relationships, career prospects, and similar?
At this moment, it makes sense to reach out to a firm well-versed with Volusia County guardianship. A skilled and qualified attorney can help you navigate this sometimes complex and emotionally-charged undertaking.
4) Get Expert Assistance
Sometimes, your spouse or partner will have a different view than you on who is best to raise your children should the worst scenario occur. Other times, you have the ideal guardian in mind, but have yet to make that information known and legally-binding in your will. Your attorney can assist you in these and other legal situations.
In fact, for more than 40 years, we’ve been proud to serve countless Central Florida residents just like you in a variety of concentrations. Along with guardianship, that also includes estate planning and real estate law. Through the years, we’ve also become known as the premier outlet for questions surrounding probate in Volusia County. Contact us today for advice and insight regarding guardianship and all your legal needs.
