It’s hard to imagine someone else raising your precious baby, but if something were to happen to you, you’d want to be sure your little one was in the very best hands. That’s why parents should pick a legal guardian — the person who’d raise their child if both parents die (or are incapacitated) before the child turns 18.
Don’t feel you’re up to the task? Failing to pick a guardian means a judge and the courts will choose one for you — and it may not be the person you think is best.
While no one can tell you what matters most, there’s plenty to think about as you mull over likely candidates. Yes, you’ll want someone who will love and care for your child as much as you would, but you also want someone who’s responsible, at work and at home, and with money.
You can opt for relatives or even a close friend. You should also pick alternates in case your first choice is unable or unwilling to do the job.
Here’s what else you need to think about when choosing a guardian:
Don’t automatically go for a couple
Many parents tend to gravitate toward a married pair when they pick a guardian for their child. After all, a married twosome may seem more stable than a swinging single.
But think carefully: Divorce happens to the best of couples, so you may want to pick one person instead. Or decide ahead of time which person would raise your child in case the couple splits up.
Also think about the couple’s children, if they have any. Will your child fit into the family or get lost in the shuffle?
Take age and health into account
You may have your heart set on selecting your parents (grandparents can make excellent guardians), but they may be too old to run around after your toddler or won’t be able to handle the social and emotional demands of a teen.
One option to consider: You can designate a guardian for a specific length of time (until your child turns 13, for instance) and designate another until the child turns 18.
Don’t rule out far-flung relatives
Think about where your potential guardian lives and whether a move to another city or state would turn your little one’s world upside down.
It may seem disruptive to uproot your child from all he knows, but if the best person for the job lives elsewhere, then it’ll probably work out fine. Besides, most kids are resilient when it comes to this kind of change.
Consider values
Do you want your child to be raised in a certain religion? Then faith may be important when it comes time to pick a guardian. You might also want to take into account your potential guardian’s morals, educational views and parenting style.
Figure in finances and family factors
How well do your possible guardians get along with your parents, in-laws or other relatives? Does your potential guardian own a home, have a good job or work in a field that requires lots of travel? You have to weigh all these factors.
You may think your child could live with your sister on the other side of the country, but if she’s a free spirit when it comes to her career, you may want to consider someone a little steadier.
Contemplate splitting the task
Some parents ask their child’s guardian to also handle the finances and their child’s inheritance. After all, it’s tempting to have the same person take care of both jobs.
But if your guardian doesn't have a good head for money, you’ll need to find a second person for this task. Maybe one of the grandparents can be the executor of your will while your favorite cousin can raise your child.
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