Guardianship Lawyer in Vancouver, WA
A plan for your children’s future through legal guardianship.
Children alter a lot of things in our lives. From our daily routines to our future goals and endeavors, everything becomes about the kids in your care, and it’s vital that you do everything possible to ensure they’re supported. Even if you’re no longer by their side, your children will need reliable caregivers that you know will do what’s best for them. As quality guardianship lawyers in Vancouver, WA, we at Vancouver Wills & Trusts can help ensure just that. This is what you need to know about a living will guardianship and why you should make these arrangements sooner rather than later.
What are Guardianships?
Once you have kids, your perspective on what is important in life changes. Should you die, you want to be sure that your minor children are taken care of through legal guardianship. Most people will create a Will naming a guardian in the event of their death. However, you should know that the court will look to the best interest of the child if your Will isn’t immediately located. Fortunately, drawing up plans with a minor guardianship attorney can help.
Washington allows a biological parent to nominate a guardian for his or her child by Will upon their passing. Unless the designated person is not appropriate, he or she is recognized as the child’s Guardian of the Person. However, in order for these rulings to play out after your death, you need to first get it all in writing. This is where a minor guardianship attorney can be a great asset to you and your family.
Why Factor Guardianship Into Your Will Now?
It’s impossible to know what’s in store for you tomorrow. Whether it be an accident or a tragic downturn in health, having these affairs settled now ensures a much smoother legal process in the aftermath of a crisis. Additionally, it provides you with power over who ultimately gains guardianship of your children in your place. This way, you can rest assured that they’ll go to those who will love them just as you did.
If you’re looking to set up a living will guardianship for your children, contact our team of guardianship lawyers in Vancouver, WA, right away. It’s important to us that families just like yours have the legal assistance they need as they navigate this process. As such, we’ll go above and beyond to dot every I and cross every T. Your children deserve peace of mind, even in a tragic situation. So, let’s make your final wishes official and legally binding for the sake of their futures.
Your child’s best interest in mind
If you have any questions regarding Guardianships or any other Estate Planning topics, please contact us to schedule a consultation. At Vancouver Wills and Trusts we focus on estate law. With years of experience, our Guardianship lawyer will explain complex estate planning techniques clearly and concisely. We make it easy for you to understand estate planning so you can make the best decisions for yourself and your family.
From the blog
Frequently Asked Questions
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Guardianship of Minors refers to the court appointing someone Guardian of the Person or Guardian of the Estate for an orphaned minor.
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A Guardian of the Person is given the power to make all necessary decisions for the Ward. For example, deciding where the Ward lives and which doctor the Ward visits. A Limited Guardian of the Person will only have the power to make decisions for the Ward that the judge allows.
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This is a very personal decision, which gives many people angst; who should care for your children in your place if you should die? You know your children better than anyone, and you have your philosophy of parenthood, which you will likely want to have the Guardian share. Here are some thoughts that might help you make your decision.
Talk to the Potential Guardian About their Willingness and Ability to Serve
This might seem uncomfortable, as after talking to a candidate you might select someone else, but by asking the candidate their thoughts, you might find out vital information. Perhaps the marriage you thought was stable is not, or that the candidate is planning on moving into a one-bedroom apartment in Philadelphia.
Think About the Guardian’s Age and Health
Your mother and father might have been great parents for little children when they were younger, but will they be able to keep up with your active five-year-old on a full-time basis? On the other hand, perhaps a younger person with one child already simply is not capable of taking on your two additional children?
Will the Guardian Have the Money to Raise Your Children?
Children are expensive, can the Guardian shoulder these extra costs? Can you set up a trust to pay for the extra costs?
Where Would Your Child Attend School?
Your sister might be a great parent, but what school district would your child be living in if she were the Guardian?
Parenting Style for Your Child
Be honest about your child. Does your child need structure? Then maybe that easy-going brother of yours isn’t the best choice. Does your child need her space, then maybe that caring, but intrusive sister might not be the best choice.
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A Guardian ad litem is a person a judge appoints to represent a minor child’s interests in Guardianship process. The Guardian ad litem speaks for the child’s best interest and will submit reports and investigate.
Interested persons can have a Guardianship Attorney petition the court asking for the appointment of a temporary guardian or Guardian ad litem, to represent the child’s interests.
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If you have minor children, you should have a document that appoints a temporary guardian for your children should both parents be unavailable or unable to make medical decisions for the minor children.