Selecting a Guardian
If you have minor children, the most important
reason to plan your estate is to ensure proper provisions are
made for your children. While it can seem overwhelming to deal
with all the issues involved, consider what would happen if you
died with no provisions. At that point, your children's guardian
would be determined by the courts and there may not be adequate
funds available until they reach adulthood, leaving them dependent
on the goodwill of relatives.
When selecting a guardian, consider the
following:
- Who would be the best
guardian for your children? While
your first inclination may be to select your parents, consider
whether they will have the energy to raise your children. A better
alternative may be a sibling or friend. One of your most important
considerations will be whether you think that individual will
be able to raise your child like one of their own. If you have
several children, is it reasonable to expect one person to raise
all of them? You may want to name more than one guardian, but
make sure the guardians will work together to keep the children
as close as possible. If the person you are considering lives
in another city or state, consider whether you want to uproot
your children while they are going through the trauma of their
parents' death. Make sure you're comfortable with the guardian's
parental style and moral beliefs.
- Have you talked to
your selected guardian?
Once you've settled on a guardian,
discuss your decision with that person to make sure he/she is
willing to take on the responsibility. Be sure to name a contingent
guardian in case your first choice is unable to serve. Discuss
your wishes regarding how you want your children raised, indicating
your preferences for education, religion, lifestyle, and other
factors.
- Have you made adequate
financial arrangements for your children?
You wouldn't want your children to be a financial burden, or
their presence may be resented. Determine how much is needed
for living expenses, hobbies, medical expenses, and college.
Consider other items as well. For instance, will your guardian's
home comfortably accommodate your children, or should you leave
funds for an addition to the home? Include a financial cushion
so there is plenty of money until your children at least reach
adulthood. Should the person who has physical custody also handle
their finances? You can name two guardians, one for physical
custody and one to handle their finances. Decide whether trusts
should be set up and how money should be distributed when your
children reach adulthood.
- Have you reviewed your
choice of guardian recently? Just
because you've selected a guardian doesn't mean that person is
still the best choice. As your children grow, review your guardian
choice every couple of years.
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About David K. Sebastian
David K. Sebastian is the Team Leader of the Physicians Wealth Management Group and specializes in working with individual physicians and group medical practices. He has more than twenty-five years of experience and derives tremendous satisfaction providing advice and management for a wide array of clients’ concerns from tax reduction to asset protection, insurance, investment, retirement and estate planning.
Commitment to his clients’ financial needs and well being is a primary motivation for David.
The Physicians Wealth Management Group was specifically created to address and manage all of the unique financial challenges that doctors are facing both individually and through their group medical practices.
Just as most Physicians are specialists, what we have discovered is that most prefer to work with experts that not only understand their personal situation, but who also are proactive in developing and implementing the strategies required to remedy them.
Feel free to contact me via e-mail at
dsebastian@sfr1.com
or call me at (973) 285-3600
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