Have you thought about your children’s Guardianship in Essex?

The need to safeguard your family’s future cannot be overstated. This is particularly true where you are the parent of a young child or children and are considering their guardianship in Essex in the event of your passing, as Laura Richardson now explains . . .

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This month saw the deadline for parents of “rising-fives” to apply for their child’s place at Primary School in Essex. Over the last few months schools across the county held open days and released newly tweaked prospectuses to persuade parents to nominate them as top choice on their application for their child’s school place. As a mother of two children attending primary school, I am only too familiar with the amount of research that many parents undertake in order to be sure that they are making the best decision for their child. With some children starting Primary School at the age of just days over 4 years old, it is clearly a great concern for parents that they make the right choice when it comes to who will be responsible for the welfare of their child during the school day. However, whilst many parents extensively research their child’s options for Primary School, few parents are concerned with ensuring that they plan for the future of their child in terms of who would care for their child should they die. Appointing a legal guardian for your child ensures that, should you die before your child reaches the age of 18, your chosen guardian will assume complete parental responsibility for your child. Your chosen guardian will therefore raise your child following your death and will be responsible for the upbringing of your child, including making decisions such as educational choices.

Whilst contemplating your own death is unpleasant, especially when you are considering leaving behind young children, it is vital that you make sure that your choice of guardian for your child is legally binding. Legally naming a guardian for your child is a relatively simple process. If you have not yet made a valid Will then you will need to do so. Within your Will you will need to name the person or persons whom you wish to legally appoint as Guardian to your child or children should you die. If you have already made a Will then this can usually be amended to include your choice of Guardian.

According to the children’s bereavement charity Winston’s Wish, over 100 children are bereaved of a parent in the UK every day. Sadly, a large number of these children risk spending up to two years in foster care whilst the Court decides who should care for them because their parents did not legally consider the matter of guardianship in Essex for them before they died.

If you would like to discuss your children’s guardianship in Essex, regardless of whether you have a Will that may need amending or even not yet made a Will, contact Andrew Douglas Wills and Legal Services today to arrange a FREE initial consultation. Wherever you are based in Essex, we would be happy to discuss how we can help secure the future of your child should the worst happen to you.

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