As a parent, you are responsible for the care of your minor child. In most circumstances, this means getting them up for school, making sure they are fed, and providing for other basic needs. However, what would happen if you and your child’s other parent were unable to care for them? It is important to note that if something were to happen to you, your child’s other parent is most likely going to have full authority and custody of your child, unless there is some other reason why they would not have this authority. So in most cases, estate planning is going to help develop a plan for protecting your child in the event that neither parent is able to care for them.
What If You Die?
When it comes to planning for the unexpected, many parents are familiar with the concept of naming a guardian to take care of their minor children in the event both parents die. This is an important step toward ensuring that your child’s future is secure.
Without an Estate Plan
If you and your child’s other parent die without officially nominating a guardian to care for your child, a judge will have to make a guardianship decision. The judge will refer to state law, which will provide a list of people in order of priority who can be named as the child’s guardian (In Texas this is most often family members). The judge will then have a short period of time to gather information and determine who will be entrusted to raise your child. Due to the time constraints and limited information, it is impossible for the judge to understand all of the nuances of your family circumstances. However, the judge will have to choose someone based on their best judgment. We all want to believe that our family and loved ones would step forward to raise our child, however sometimes the people you would prefer are not always chosen by the court. And, in the end, the judge may end up choosing someone you would never have wanted to raise your child to act as your child’s guardian until they are 18 years old.
With an Estate Plan
By proactively planning, you can take back control and nominate the person or people you want to raise your child in the event you and the child’s other parent are unable to care for them. Although you are only able to make a nomination, your choice can hold a great deal of weight when the judge has to decide on an appropriate guardian. In Texas, parents may use a document known as a “Declaration of Guardian for Minor Child” which is part of a comprehensive estate plan. This document can also allow parents to specifically disqualify the people they do not want raising their children. However, parents should be aware, it is not possible to use this document alone when attempting to disqualify other parents from serving as a guardian for a minor child.
What If You Are Alive but Cannot Manage Your Own Affairs?
Although most of the emphasis is on naming a guardian for when both parents are dead, there may be instances in which you need someone to have the authority to make decisions for your child while you are alive but unable to make them yourself.
Without an Estate Plan
Not having an incapacity plan in place that includes guardianship nominations means that a judge will have to make this judgment call on their own with no input from you (similar to the determination of a guardian if you die without a plan in place).
With an Estate Plan
A comprehensive estate plan can also include a nomination of a guardian in the event you and the child’s other parent are incapacitated (unable to manage your own affairs). Although you are technically alive, if you cannot manage your own affairs, there is no way that you will be able to care for your minor child. This is another reason why having a Declaration of Guardian for Minor Child (as described above) may be preferable to nominating guardians directly in a last will and testament.
Because a last will and testament is only effective at your death, a nomination for a guardian in your will may not be effective when you are still living. However, a nomination in a separate document that anticipates the possibility that you may be alive and unable to care for your child can provide great assistance to the judge when evaluating a guardian. Depending on the nature of your incapacity, this guardian may only be needed temporarily, with you assuming full responsibility for your child upon regaining the ability to make decisions for yourself.
What If You Are Just Out of Town?
Sometimes, you travel without your child and will have to leave them in the care of someone temporarily. While you of course hope that nothing will go wrong while you are away, it is better to be safe than sorry.
Without an Estate Plan
Without the proper documentation, there may be delays in caring for your child if your child were to get hurt or need permission for a school event while you are out of town. The hospital or school may try to reach you by phone in order to get your permission to treat them or allow them to attend a school event. Depending on the nature of your trip, getting a hold of you may not be easy (e.g., if you are on a cruise ship with little access to phone or email). Ultimately, your child will likely be treated medically, but the chosen caregiver may encounter additional roadblocks trying to obtain medical services for your child, and they may not be able to make critical medical decisions when needed.
With an Estate Plan
Most states recognize a document that allows you to delegate your authority to make decisions on behalf of your child to another person during your lifetime. In Texas, this document is known as a “Designation of Health Care Agent for Child.” You still maintain the ability to make decisions for your child, but you empower another person to have this authority in the event you are out of town or cannot get to the hospital immediately. This document allows your chosen caregiver to make most decisions on behalf of your child, except for consenting to the adoption or marriage of your child.
We Are Here to Protect You and Your Children
Being a parent is a full-time job. We want to make sure that regardless of what life throws at you, you and your child are cared for. Give us a call to learn more about how we can ensure that the right people are making decisions for your child when you cannot. Nielsen Law PLLC provides family-focused estate and business planning to individuals and families in Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, and the Central Texas area. For more information, and to learn about our firm, please contact us. We look forward to working with you.
