Who will take care of my kids when I pass?
Have you procreated? First off, mazel tov! Secondly, get a will, because not having one could be life altering.
Ideally, you have a will that designates the person or people in your life that is most capable of raising your children. It’s a huge ask of someone, so make sure everyone is on board with your decision first! It’s vitally important.
If you pass with minor children and no will, there are laws in place that determine who will be appointed guardian of your children. Though laws differ from state to state. In general the closest relative will be awarded custody. If there are two or more relatives at the same level, the court will decide who is the best equipped to raise your child. If there are no relatives, the court will appoint a person who you may or may not know.
That removes the decision from your hands. Seriously, someone who has never met you may be making decisions about the future of your children. Decisions that will affect them the rest of their lives.
A will protects not only your estate, but also your children. If the unthinkable happens, you want to be the one to decide who will be most appropriate parents to your kids, not a court system that is beholden to statutes.
A will if often referred to as a way to protect YOUR legacy, but it’s a little more than that.
Yes, having a will does protect your life’s achievements and allows your legacy to live on, but it will protect the future of your children as well.