VBJ May 22

8
THE VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL
www.TheValleyBusinessJournal.com
All About Appointing Guardianship in Estate Plans
You may find it challenging to talk
about what would happen to your children
if you and your spouse were to pass
away. No one wants to imagine such a
tragic, unexpected accident. But part of
taking care of your children is preparing
for the unimaginable.
When you sit down with a sensitive,
experienced lawyer to appoint guardianship
in your estate plan, consider a
few things.
Four things to Consider Before
Appointing Guardianship
One important thing to remember
when choosing who will have stewardship
over your children if you were to
pass away is that there isn’t a perfect fit.
No one can replace what you and your
partner provide for your children. The
goal is to choose someone who is the
next best thing.
1. Focus on Who You Can Trust with
Your Children: Start by making a list
of family members or friends that you
would leave your children with during
a weekend get-away. Who would
gladly take on the extra children with
minimal issues? Who would you worry
the least about while taking care of
your children?
2. Do Not Worry About Money or Size
of Home: Do not eliminate a potential
guardian from consideration because
you think they do not have the financial
wherewithal to take care of your children.
You can provide for your children
with what you leave them, as well as
adequate life insurance, if necessary.
3. Choose Someone with Similar Values
and Beliefs: Consider all belief
systems, such as parenting styles,
financial practices, religious beliefs,
educational values, and ethics. Who
would best fit your belief system and
seamlessly take on extra children?
4. Think About Their Place in Life:
Maybe you are considering grandparents
for guardianship. Consider how
well they would be able to parent as
they continue to age. Perhaps a family
friend who has children 10 years older
than yours would have a challenge
balancing two generations of kids.
Or a cross-country move may uproot
your children more than you’d like
during a sensitive time.
As you work through this important
decision, let our team advise you along
the way. Then you can sit down with the
people you choose and have a thoughtful
conversation about what would happen
if you and your co-parent were to pass
away.
While it may be difficult to make
plans for the unexpected, it is necessary.
Shoup Legal is here to help. Contact us
at (951) 455-4114 or email us at info@
shouplegal.com to learn more about how
we can help you plan today for peace of
mind tomorrow.
“
You may find it challenging
to talk about
what would happen
to your children if you
and your spouse were
to pass away. No one
wants to imagine such
a tragic, unexpected
accident. But part of
taking care of your
children is preparing for
the unimaginable.
SHOUPLEGAL.COM
LEGAL
by by
Andrea Steve Fillingim Shoup