What should you consider when appointing a guardian for your children?

It is both difficult and emotional  to think about who would be best placed to look after your children in the event of your death. 

Anyone with parental responsibility (always the mother, and the father if married to the mother or named
on the birth certificate after December 2002) will automatically become the sole guardian of any child, irrespective of other appointed guardians. 

If a guardian is not appointed and there is no one with parental responsibility, the children will become wards of the court. It is therefore extremely important to make a Will and to appoint guardians to look after your children. 

When appointing a guardian, it is important to consider the type of person you would wish to bring up your children. 

1. Are they financially stable?
Have you got any plans in place so that any guardian looking after your children has sufficient funds to look after them? Do they have a large enough house or would they need to
move?

2. Where do they live? 
It may not be desirable to choose a guardian who lives far away from you as it would make it even more unsettling for children to be forced to
move to a different area at already a traumatic time. 

3. Do they have the same religious beliefs?
It may be difficult for a guardian to bring up your children in line with your beliefs if they are of a different religion.

4. Are your children familiar with the guardian?
It may ease the transitional period if your children are already familiar with the guardian 

5. Is the guardian happy to act as a guardian?
It is important to check with the potential guardian that they are in fact happy to act, before nominating them in the Will as it can lead to a very difficult situation should they be unaware or unwilling to act.

These are just a few points to consider. If you do need assistance  in deciding who to appoint as a guardian, please do not hesitate to contact us.