It’s difficult for parents to think about leaving their children behind, regardless of how old their child is. However, thinking about whom you want to care for your child in the event of your passing is an incredibly important part of safeguarding their future. Choosing a guardian to put on your will isn’t an easy task, as you want to pick someone whom you can trust and who has your child’s best interests in mind and heart. To help you protect their future, let’s take a look at what you should consider when naming a guardian for your child.
What Is Their Parenting Style?
While it’s unlikely that you’ll find someone who matches your exact parenting style, you should consider the values the guardian will teach your child and how they will parent them. A guardian doesn’t necessarily have to be a parent, but either way, you should have an in-depth discussion about how they would raise your child. They may be willing to change their methods if you ask and are specific about what you want, but it varies from person to person.
Are They Willing and Able To Take on the Job?
While this may seem obvious to some, it’s important to ensure that the person you’re naming as your child’s guardian is 100 percent willing and able to do so. This goes beyond whether they want to or not. How old is the guardian, and will they be able to keep up with raising a child? Do they have the finances necessary to care for a child? Do they have the time and energy to take care of a child, and are they willing to make sacrifices to do so? These are all important questions to ask in the conversation.
How Does Your Child Feel About Them?
One of the most important considerations you need to make when naming a guardian for your child is whether your child likes and feels safe with the guardian you choose. Your child doesn’t necessarily have to be intimately familiar with the person, but it does help if they know and feel safe with them. If they aren’t familiar with one another, set aside some time for them to engage and build a relationship. What you don’t want is to choose someone whom your child severely dislikes or doesn’t feel safe around.
Do They Have Children of Their Own?
In some cases, it’s advantageous for the guardian to already have children, as it proves they have what it takes to raise a child. However, in other cases, it may make your child feel like they’re the odd one out, and they may struggle to fit in. Of course, this isn’t always the case, and many guardians will treat the child as if they were their own, but it’s something that you should inquire about for the good of your child’s future.
If you’re struggling with the legal process of naming a guardian for your child or need help arranging custody, contact Northern Legal today. We’ll put you in contact with one of our knowledgeable and dedicated family and child custody lawyers to help you through the process.