How do you select the best candidate for guardianship over your children in the event of your passing?

Today’s topic is very near and dear to my heart, and one I think about often because I have a toddler at home: How do you select the best candidate for guardianship over your children in the event of your passing? It’s also worth noting that we have some relatives who live out of state and others who live out of the country.

One of your first considerations should be to pick a guardian whose parenting philosophy is similar to yours. The way they discipline their children and the way you discipline your own should be very much alike.

If you have certain religious convictions or you’d like to know that they’re being raised in a specific culture within the household, those are factors that should also play a part in your decision. The parenting decisions that your children’s guardian makes should very closely resemble the decisions you’d make.

As a word of caution, I wouldn’t make your selection solely based upon financial resources. Focus more on the philosophical aspect, rather than the financial aspect. The ideal scenario is to leave enough financial resources behind for your kids to attend high school and college, and not rely on the guardian to be there for financial support.

The considerations we’ve discussed thus far have all been for long-term guardianship. Short-term guardianship is a different story entirely. This is someone who would care for your children in case of an emergency until the designated long-term guardian could arrive.

Naming a couple of short-term guardians might be a good idea if, like my family, you have relatives who live out of state or out of the country. 

​

If you have any questions or would like more information, please don’t hesitate to let me know. I’d be happy to answer them for you or include it in a future video!