If you have overheard any discussion about estate planning, you have likely heard the words \u201cguardian\u201d or \u201ctrustee\u201d tossed around in the conversation. When it comes to estate planning, who will be ultimately in charge of your minor child is an important decision that requires consideration of many factors. Although there is no substitute for you as a parent, a guardian is essentially someone who steps in as a parent, assuming the parental role and raising the child through adulthood. A trustee, on the other hand, is in charge of managing the financial legacy that has been left behind for the minor.\u00a0 As a parent, you need to take into account the characteristics needed for each role.<\/p>\n
Who Makes a Good Guardian?<\/strong><\/p>\n When choosing a guardian, the top factor to consider is who is the best person that will love and raise your child in a manner that you would. This would include religious beliefs, parenting style, interest in extracurricular activities, energy level, and whether or not he or she has children already. Keep in mind that a guardian will provide day-to-day love, care, and support for your child. While the guardian you choose may be great with your children, he or she may not be great with money. For this reason, it may make sense to place the financial management of your minor child\u2019s funds in the hands of someone else.<\/p>\n Who Makes a Good Trustee?<\/strong><\/p>\n Not surprisingly, when choosing a trustee the most important characteristic is that he or she is great with finances. Specifically, the trustee must be able to manage the funds in accordance with your intent and instructions that are left in your trust. Consider whether he or she will honor your wishes. Likewise, should you choose to grant your successor trustee discretion in making financial decisions regarding the management of funds left behind you should ensure the individual\u2019s decisions will be aligned with your intent. In short, you want to choose a successor trustee who will act in your minor child\u2019s best interest within the limits you have set forth in your estate plan documents. If you choose two different people for the role of guardian and trustee, make sure to consider how the two get along as they will likely have to work together throughout your minor\u2019s childhood and possibly into adulthood.<\/p>\n Seek Help to Make Your Decision<\/strong><\/p>\n While estate planning can be daunting, it does not have to be.\u00a0 Contact a knowledgeable estate planning attorney to help guide you through this process. We can explain your options and advise you on the best plan that will follow your wishes while at the same time meeting your family\u2019s needs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" If you have overheard any discussion about estate planning, you have likely heard the words \u201cguardian\u201d or \u201ctrustee\u201d tossed around in the conversation. When it comes to estate planning, who will be ultimately in charge of your minor child is an important decision that requires consideration of many factors. Although there is no substitute for […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[17,18],"yoast_head":"\n