Updating Your Will After the Birth of a Child

The birth of a child will bring many changes to your family’s lifestyle and added responsibilities.  In a perfect world, parents will guide their children as they grow older and have children of their own. As this world is not a perfect one, parents must plan for the unforeseen and choose a person to care for their children should something happen to them.

One of the responsibilities of a parent is naming a guardian to step in and raise their children if necessary.  Drafting a Will will allow you to do this.   Choosing who to name as guardian can be a difficult choice, but is one that must be made or will be made by others who may not know your family or your wishes.   Naming a guardian in your Will ensures that you, not the court system, will have the opportunity to choose that person.  You should choose, however, a person that has similar beliefs and ideas and will respect your wishes on how to raise your child.  Discussing your choice and keeping an open line of communication should ease the transition if a guardian is needed to care for your child.