{"id":870,"date":"2018-04-30T14:05:51","date_gmt":"2018-04-30T21:05:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ogbornelaw.com\/?p=870"},"modified":"2023-07-24T18:00:13","modified_gmt":"2023-07-24T18:00:13","slug":"how-to-choose-a-guardian","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/webtechs-designs.com\/2023Ogborne\/how-to-choose-a-guardian\/","title":{"rendered":"How to choose a guardian"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>When you choose a guardian, you select someone to care for a person or persons who are your responsibility. In a legal document, the person or child for whom you will choose a guardian is called a \u201cward.\u201d If something should happen to you \u2013 incapacitating injury resulting in the inability to express your desires or death \u2013 your legal guardian will assume responsibility for your loved ones. Examples of guardianships needed may include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Developmentally challenged relatives<\/li>\n<li>Elderly parents<\/li>\n<li>Minor children<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>As parents, the pressure to choose a guardian for your children begins at their birth. Why do parents procrastinate in taking such an important step to protect their children?<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_76 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/webtechs-designs.com\/2023Ogborne\/how-to-choose-a-guardian\/#%E2%80%98Politics_and_Pain_When_You_Choose_a_Guardian\" >\u2018Politics\u2019 and Pain When You Choose a Guardian<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/webtechs-designs.com\/2023Ogborne\/how-to-choose-a-guardian\/#How_to_Choose_a_Guardian\" >How to Choose a Guardian<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/webtechs-designs.com\/2023Ogborne\/how-to-choose-a-guardian\/#Choose_a_Guardian_Because_the_Future_Isnt_Guaranteed\" >Choose a Guardian Because the Future Isn\u2019t Guaranteed<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%98Politics_and_Pain_When_You_Choose_a_Guardian\"><\/span>\u2018Politics\u2019 and Pain When You Choose a Guardian<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In the U.S., two-thirds of parents have not chosen a guardian for their child\/children. One of the reasons might be to avoid family drama or hurting someone\u2019s feelings. When you choose a guardian \u201c\u2026there are so many toes you can step on \u2013 not only your siblings\u2019 toes but your spouse\u2019s, your spouse\u2019s siblings\u2026\u201d as well as two sets of grandparents and close friends, says <a href=\"https:\/\/www.parenting.com\/article\/how-to-choose-a-guardian-for-your-child\" data-cke-saved-href=\"https:\/\/www.parenting.com\/article\/how-to-choose-a-guardian-for-your-child\">Parenting.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Is having your relatives fighting in open court for custody of your children a better scenario? And what if, a judge was to choose a guardian, he or she picks the <em>last person<\/em> you would have wanted? Sometimes another couple \u2013 good parents themselves or childless \u2013 would be a better choice for your kids than a relative. If you don\u2019t \u201cput it in writing,\u201d it could be a fight among family members for guardianship.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Choose_a_Guardian\"><\/span>How to Choose a Guardian<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>You can\u2019t imagine not being there with your children as they make life decisions and reach milestones. If you make the decision to choose a guardian for them, at least <em>your children will know you wanted the best for them. <\/em>Who is the \u201cright\u201d choice? Your best friends adore your children, but they are already maxed for time. Your sister is a good choice, but she lives far away . . .<\/p>\n<p>You can\u2019t assume a judge would automatically choose a guardian based on familial closeness. A judge can decide your parents are too old. One of your siblings could \u201cwin\u201d over a better choice. Why would you let a stranger make such an important decision?<\/p>\n<p>Here are five tips to help you choose a guardian:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>List your values \u2013 kindness, spiritual, cultural, extracurricular activities, education.<\/li>\n<li>List potential candidates \u2013 Ask yourself:\n<ul>\n<li>Are they capable?<\/li>\n<li>Do they love your children?<\/li>\n<li>Is their location favorable?<\/li>\n<li>What is their current family structure?<\/li>\n<li>Will your children feel safe and loved?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Picture your children\u2019s lives with each candidate \u2013 Are they happy?<\/li>\n<li>Ask your guardian for permission.<\/li>\n<li>Put guardianship into a legal document<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Choose_a_Guardian_Because_the_Future_Isnt_Guaranteed\"><\/span>Choose a Guardian Because the Future Isn\u2019t Guaranteed<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ogbornelaw.com\/services\/marital-agreements\/\" data-cke-saved-href=\"https:\/\/ogbornelaw.com\/services\/marital-agreements\/\">Planning for life<\/a> shouldn\u2019t be a negative experience. Taking care of the people you love should something happen to you is not only smart, it\u2019s kind. Don\u2019t make the mistake of leaving your children wondering, \u201cWhy wasn\u2019t I important enough to protect?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>You should prepare for the unexpected and safeguard your children if the unthinkable happens. <a href=\"https:\/\/ogbornelaw.com\/top-5-most-difficult-estate-planning-decisions\/\" data-cke-saved-href=\"https:\/\/ogbornelaw.com\/top-5-most-difficult-estate-planning-decisions\/\">Naming a permanent guardian<\/a> in a legal document is one of the steps in <a href=\"https:\/\/ogbornelaw.com\/services\/estate-planning\/\" data-cke-saved-href=\"https:\/\/ogbornelaw.com\/services\/estate-planning\/\">estate planning<\/a>. Perhaps it\u2019s the most important step. It is also something we recommend when preparing a <a href=\"https:\/\/ogbornelaw.com\/need-know-parenting-plans\/\" data-cke-saved-href=\"https:\/\/ogbornelaw.com\/need-know-parenting-plans\/\">Parenting Plan<\/a> during a <a href=\"https:\/\/ogbornelaw.com\/services\/collaborative-divorce\/\" data-cke-saved-href=\"https:\/\/ogbornelaw.com\/services\/collaborative-divorce\/\">collaborative divorce<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>When you choose a guardian, you can settle disagreements among family members before they happen. You can ensure your kids \u2013 your legacy \u2013 will be well cared-for \u201cif\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ogbornelaw.com\/contact\/\"> Contact Ogborne Law<\/a> with any questions about how to choose a guardian. You can\u2019t gamble with your children\u2019s future.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Choosing a guardian for your children is a difficult but necessary task. Do you really want a judge to make this decision for you? Learn how to choose a guardian.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":11510,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[43],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-870","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-family-support","category-43","description-off"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How to choose a guardian - Ogborne Law, PLC<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Choosing a guardian for your children is a difficult but necessary task. Do you really want a judge to make this decision for you? 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