TAKE TIME TO LEAVE A LEGACY FOR YOUR KIDS

WRITER: L. LYNN LAWRENCE, ESQ.

It’s estimated nearly 70 percent of parents do not name a guardian for their children in the event something should happen to them. Question is: What if the worst does happen? What would happen to your children?

Imagine you’re on a date night with your spouse. You’re eagerly anticipating a night without the kids and watching a movie that’s not G-rated. You’ve researched your baby sitter. She’s 16 and has CPR and first-aid certification. She’s very smart and trustworthy. You’re ready for your evening out.

As you are driving to your romantic dinner, you’re T-boned by another car. Your spouse is killed instantly and you are in coma.

The will comes into effect only if you are deceased. So if you’re in a coma or incapacitated, it doesn’t matter. Secondly, do you know where your will is? Would you have told your baby sitter? Did you give your sitter the number and addresses of all your family members? Would she know whom to call?

So the police tell your 16-yearold baby sitter the Department of Children and Families will have to take your children into foster care. Can you imagine anything worse than having your children awakened by the police, dragged out of your home and placed with strangers?

With proper planning, that doesn’t need to happen.

There are ways to properly identify guardians, both long and short term, who protect your children. Just as importantly, there are ways to let your guardians know what is important to you when the children are being raised. You can leave a blueprint letting them know how you would have wanted your children raised. Take the time to create a video of yourself talking about your kids.

No one likes to discuss their own death or incapacity. It’s as if when we talk about our mortality we’re suddenly going to die right away. But neither does anyone want to think of their children left to the vagaries of the system.

If you want help ensure your children will be cared for the way you intended, consider naming guardians and getting a family legacy plan in place. You aren’t providing only for their physical future, but creating a gift they’ll remember you by.