Child Guardianship: Choosing a Guardian for Your Child

Parents have to consider the wellbeing of their children under any circumstances. What if something happens to you before your children grow up? Facing the possibility of your own death is one of the hardest responsibilities of a parent. You can assure that your children will be well cared for if you select a guardian.

A guardian is responsible for underage children in the event of their parents' deaths. Guardianship can involve much more than the raising of children. Depending on your wishes, a guardian may also be responsible for administrating any trusts or property you leave your children.

When parents die without arranging guardianship, the custody of their minor children is in question. Family members may disagree on who should raise the children, leading to family rifts and possible custody battles. In other cases, local authorities may intervene to care for underage children. Neither situation is in the best interests of the children.

Selecting a guardian should not be done lightly. Most parents ask siblings, family members, or close personal friends to take on guardianship of their children. The person asked may want some time to think it over. Guardianship is an enormous responsibility. The person you approach must be comfortable with possibly taking on the role of a parent.

Before you ask someone to agree to guardianship, ask yourself a few hard questions. Would you trust this person to parent your child? How responsible are they? If they are parents themselves, will they treat your children as they treat their own?

If your choice of guardian declines the offer, respect their wishes and look for someone else. As a parent, you wouldn't want someone raising your children who didn't want the responsibility. Keep in mind that rather than insulting you, the person who declines guardianship is giving you the respect of an honest answer.

Parents often have clear views on how their children should be raised. Religious, philosophical, and political views should be taken into account when considering a guardian. Have a frank discussion with the prospective guardian to make certain that he or she respects and agrees with your views on parenting.

Any values about which you feel very strongly should be explicit in written guardianship instructions. The written instructions can offer a guideline for guardianship and outline issues you feel strongly about. Try not to cover every possible contingency, as you don't want the instructions to be too complicated to follow.

Ultimately, the best choice for a guardian is someone who agrees with your values and is willing to make every effort to raise your children according to your wishes. Choose carefully and follow your instincts as well as your reason. Guardianship is a safeguard parents hope they'll never need, but it remains one of the most important ways to ensure your children's futures.