Child Protection
Do any of us as parents ever really stop to consider what would happen if the unthinkable occurred? What if you were in an accident? What if you were suddenly gone in the blink of an eye? What would happen to your young children? Although unlikely, these are heartbreaking possibilities.
What would happen one day if you didn’t come home? What would the babysitter do? Without a plan in place, the situation could be a nightmare. The authorities could come to your home, and not finding anyone suitable to leave your children with, take your children and place them with Child Protective Services until things are sorted out.  Your children could be placed with perfect strangers.
If you have a will, and you have named guardians for your children in your will, that is still not enough. How is the guardian going to know about what has just happened? What if the guardian lives thousand of miles away?  What if no one can locate the guardian? It takes time to probate a will. A formal court proceeding must be opened. Your children could be placed with strangers.
And even worse, if you died without a will or any estate plan, then the probate court would ultimately decide who should be the children’s guardian. Would different family members fight over the kids?  You would have no control at all over the process.
At our office we prepare simple documents for you and your children that inform all concerned of your desires for your children in case the unthinkable happens. These documents can be carried in your wallet or purse and a copy can be placed in your vehicles. Copies of these instructions are also sent to your family and friends so everyone knows who you choose to look after your children. Don’t let strangers or the court system decide who is going to look after your children.
