Tips for making sure your children are cared for in the event of your death.
By CYNTHIA RUPE The Orange County Register
"Mommy, what happens after you die?"
It's a question most kids ask at some point – and we may quickly paint a picture of fluffy clouds, golden roads, rainbows and go about our day.
It's a question parents rarely want to truly consider. But ask yourself – what would happen to your kids if you died? Who would take care of them?
"A will may not be enough," says attorney Darlynn Morgan of The Morgan Law Group in Newport Beach. Morgan, a personal family lawyer, offers estate planning tips and advice to parenting and moms' groups, with a particular focus on children.
Alexis Martin Neely, founder of the Family Wealth Planning Institute and the Personal Family Lawyer (TM)
Program, of which I am proud to be a part, appeared on the NBC Today Show to
discuss her new book “Wear Clean Underwear.” In this 4 minute video segment she
discusses the need for parents to name guardians for their children, both
short-term and long-term, and the importance of passing property to them in the
right way.
Alexis Martin Neely, founder of the Family Wealth Planning Institute and the Personal Family Lawyer (TM)
Program, of which I am proud to be a part, appeared on the NBC Today Show to
discuss her new book “Wear Clean Underwear.” In this 4 minute video segment she
discusses the need for parents to name guardians for their children, both
short-term and long-term, and the importance of passing property to them in the
right way.
As a parent, you just might – at some point- have to deal with unruly tantrums, your child refusing to go to bed, sibling rivalry, snappy attitudes, or just plain defiance! Admit it, you’ve seen a few, (if not all) the episodes of that infamous show, “Super Nanny.” You watch it to get advice for dealing with your own kids. Seems that Jo always knows just what to do in every situation! Do you wish you had the answers to your own child’s “issues?" Often a parenting book or even a conversation with a friend will give you the answers you need…..
But then there’s those problems that have gone beyond your control…. This is when you need to call a Child Therapist or even better, your own personal Parent Coach. This is the hot new strategy for dealing with family struggles. We live in a crazy world! And all of these demands have definitely put more pressure on families -- creating more stress than a parent can handle sometimes. Parent coaching provides the opportunity for a mediator to come into your home, observe your interactions and approaches to parenting, offer feedback and advice, and empower you to gain control over your family and your child’s behaviors.
The process of estate planning and choosing a guardian that will care for your children can be difficult. It is hard to think of your children being raised by anyone else, no matter how loving they may be.
However, planning ahead can make a big difference in your child’s life. There are three simple steps one can follow to ensure that you have chosen the right guardian:
Step One: Make a List of Possible Guardians
Make the longest list you can of everyone you know that could be a good guardian. Ask yourself if they would provide a better home for the children than foster care. If so, include them.
