Liz and Ray continue to consider who should be named to serve as guardian of their children in their Wills. So far, they’ve thought about Liz’s sister Joy, Ray’s brother Don, or their friend Ted.
One factor is the guardian’s own family situation. For example, since Ted is engaged, whether his fiancée would be willing to take on parenting Rose and Sam is important.
If the guardian has children, how old are they in comparison? Are they healthy or need intense care and attention? Would the guardian likely be able to merge the children into a new family if Rose and Sam were added as orphans in the future?
Don has no children and is single. Liz and Ray wonder if his ‘cool’ lifestyle could accommodate children. And would Don be willing to make the adjustments that would be needed?
Many parents say that having a child changes their lives completely. Adding an orphan to a family, whether there are already children or not, is a similarly huge transition.
Considering the answers to these kinds of questions is useful. For Ray and Liz, determining the answers can help them write letters for their named guardians to be read only if Ray and Liz were to pass away too soon. It can be important to give permission to a named guardian to decline if it does not fit their situation as hoped – and a letter allows that, even after death.
For assistance considering your estate planning choices, including naming a guardian, please call our office at (815) 436-1996 for an appointment.
© 2014 Gruber Law Office, Ltd.