Choosing Guardians for Children
The most important decision you'll make in your estate plan is appointing guardians for your minor children. Who you pick will impact not only your children but also the lives of your guardians. While you and your children may feel an affinity for a particular adult(s), that relationship could be strained in a 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week environment. Where should you begin in picking a guardian?
Unless you have a parent or relative who has expressed in past conversations a overwhelming desire to be your child's guardian, start listing family and friends with similar aged children. Potential guardians with older children may be looking forward to becoming empty-nesters and recent empty-nesters are likely enjoying their new freedom.
Consider the reversal of roles since many families reciprocate in being guardians - look at families whose children you would be willing to take custody. Have their children been raised with similar values that compliment yours? More to the point: do the parents of a potential family handle any given situation in a similar manner to you?
Let potential guardians know you are just starting to explore potential guardians. Take time to talk to several families, your children if they are old enough for such discussions and talk to your extended family about whom you are considering to be guardians. These discussions can generate other considerations and reveal overlooked potential guardians.
Many estate plans list primary and backup guardians. Your guardians are appointed in your Will. Some families opt to include a Revocable Living Trust in their estate plan to control distribution of assets to children until they reach an age or set criteria to ensure they are responsible to inherit money. Your guardians do not need to manage your estate's finances and it's sometimes wise to have your guardians separate from your revocable living trust's successor trustees.
The alternative to not appointing guardians quickly is allowing the state your live in to appoint guardians for your children - possibly someone who is not your first or second choice to act as such.
Contact
Four Peaks Planning, Inc. to let us help you complete your estate plan at (480) 229-6220
Important:
Please consult with Four Peaks Planning, Inc. before undertaking any
actions. The
information in this website is provided with the understanding that the
publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, tax or investment
advice. While every attempt has been made to provide current and
accurate information, neither the author nor the publisher can be
held accountable for any errors or omissions. You agree not to hold
any employee of Four Peaks Planning, Inc. liable for action you
take from the information on www.fourpeaksplanning.com.
Our attorneys prepare living trusts for Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, Gilbert, Chandler, Phoenix, Ahwatukee, Glendale, Fountain Hills, Peoria, Sun City, Maricopa, Pima, Tucson, Flagstaff, Sun Lakes and other Arizona cities.
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We want you to make a confident choice in choosing your estate planner. Feel free to contact any of the references below.
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Reference - Read more
I met Jamie, owner of Four Peaks Planning, at an estate planning seminar that Edward Jones was hosting and after hearing him talk about the importance of a trust and a will I knew I wanted to meet with him. I had a little trouble convincing my new husband and he was sort of set on just doing a will. I set up an appointment with Jamie and he was very accommodating to our hectic schedule.
When he showed up at our home he did a fantastic presentation on why we needed both the will and the trust. My husband was convinced and was impressed with how sharp Jamie was. He covered all of the issues with us, and even helped diffuse a possible argument regarding dividing our assets.
Jamie is very detailed, organized and did exactly what he said he was going to do. I feel so much better now knowing that we took the time and invested the small amount of money Jamie charges to have some security for our kids if the need were to arise. I recommend meeting with Jamie and protecting yourself and your family!
-- Julie Varland -
Comm. Telecomm.
Qwest, Chandler, AZ
(602) 745-5308 - Daytime
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Reference - Read more
My wife and I would like to thank you for an outstanding job you did on our trust. You made the whole experience very easy and explained every detail we had questions about.
I especially liked the fact that even after you delivered the trust package you did several follow-ups to see how things were going. I have recommended your services to many of my friends and business associates and wish you continued success.
-- Kim Ridgeway -
Insurance agency owner
Farmers Ins, Scottsdale, AZ
(480) 657-0225 - Daytime
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Reference - Read more
I have known Jamie for several years and know him to be a knowledgeable and professional estate planner. His detail and care in focusing on children and making sure assets are transferred into the trust is, by far, what makes him the person to handle my client's estates and financial needs. I also like the way Jamie becomes a great team member for my clients.
I've seen him sit with couples and groups bringing an ease to a very uncomfortable subject for most - dying and money.
All these reasons are why Jamie was my choice for an estate planner and for my family and friends.
-- Jerilyn L. Evans-Graff - Accountant and Owner, Evans-Graff, Inc., Mesa, AZ
(480) 730-0474 - Daytime
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