How to Choose a Guardian for Your Child

Choosing a guardian can be difficult, but it is an important decision to make.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Understand you will need to select a guardian for your minor children when you write a will. The guardian will essentially get custody of your children should you and your spouse die before the children reach the age of majority.
2. Know that you can choose a different guardian for each child, although it is usually recommended that you keep siblings together.
3. Think carefully about people in your life that you trust and who have a good relationship with your children.
4. Select a person or married couple that you know well and have spent time with. It is usually best if you can choose someone who shares your beliefs and outlook on life.
5. Avoid selecting someone who is elderly or in poor health. You want the person to be able to actively care for the children should you die.
6. Consider the financial demands that children create. Although the guardian will receive funds to provide for the children, there may be some element of financial difficulty.
7. Do not choose someone a court would be likely to remove as guardian. You want someone who is an upstanding member of the community, has no criminal record and has a means of support.

Tips & Warnings

• Discuss your choice with the person. The last thing you would want is to choose someone and then have them decline the appointment after your death.