Providing for your minor children involves much more than leaving money or a home for their benefit.  A truly loving plan considers and directs the manner in which your children will be "parented"--trained, educated and raised as you would do, to the extent possible.

To plan for the care of your minor children, consider the following questions:

• 1. If you are disabled or have died, who do you wish to be the person or persons to be guardian for your minor children? List at least two, and preferably three alternatives.
   

• 2. If you are disabled or have died, who do you wish to be the person who will handle your money and property? List at least two, and preferably three alternatives. This person need not be the same person as the guardian you choose for your children.
   

• 3. What instructions and guidelines do you wish to give the guardian of your children and your trustee (the person who controls your money)  regarding the manner in which your children are raised? PLEASE GIVE THIS QUESTION CAREFUL THOUGHT.
  
   

• For example, consider the following general subjects, which are not exhaustive, but are merely examples.
   

  • Do you want your children to be raised together as a family if possible?
     

  • What are your guidelines or instructions for the development of character and morality in your children?
     

  • What are your guidelines or instructions pertaining to your desires for the future education of your children?
     

  • Are there any persons, places, things or circumstances which your children are to avoid or be kept from?
     

  • Are there any persons, places, things or circumstances which you wish your children to be frequently exposed to or to participate in?
     

  • What are your wishes pertaining to the spiritual development of your children?
     

  • Are there any relationships which you wish to foster in your children, or to have your children avoid?
     

  • What restrictions or limitations do wish to impose on how your money is spent on behalf of your children, at various stages of their life?
     

  • If you have more than one child, do you wish your trustee to treat your money as a "family pot," available to the child who needs it, or should your property be segregated so that each child has an equal amount available to him or her?
     

  • If money is available for the education of your children after high school, under what conditions and under what restrictions is the trustee to pay the money?
     

    • 1) Do you wish your money to pay the full amount of your child’s higher education, or do you wish your child to have some personal financial investment in his/her education?
       

    • 2) Do you wish to provide some financial incentive for good grades, or admission to a certain type of academic institution?
       

    • 3) Do you have any criteria to be used in selecting the college or university which your child attends?

[Healthcare Planning-Advance Directive] [Protecting Yourself During Your Disability] [Protecting your Loved Ones after Death] [Providing for your Minor Children]