Everyone told you that things would change once you became a parent. Now that you have a child, you know how true it is. The priorities in your life shifted, and you do everything you can to keep your child safe and happy. But there may be some things you can do to with the help of an estate planning attorney to take it a step further. Consider these important legal documents to protect your children in case of a family emergency.
Think About Protecting Your Family With These Documents
As a parent, you may consider a:
- Living will with a durable power of attorney. While these are actually two documents, we will discuss them as one because they often go together. These documents will govern what happens to you if you are unconscious or unable to make decisions, but you are still alive. In a living will, also known as an advance health care directive, you can explain what you want to happen to you medically if you are unable to communicate. In the durable power of attorney, you can authorize someone to make medical, legal and financial decisions for you while you are unable to do so.
- Will. This may be the single most important document you create. Not only will you specify how your assets should be devided should you die, but you will also name a guardian for your minor children. Without a legal document naming a guardian for your children, the court will decide who will raise your children and your children may be separated or suffer unnecessarily as well-meaning relatives fight over who should have custody.
- Trust. A trust is not just for very wealthy families. It might be important to create a trust for your child that will put restrictions on when your child will get the money and what the money may be used for so that your family doesn’t have any questions about your intent.
For more information about these important legal documents or to get started creating or revising them, please contact an experienced Pennsylvania family law attorney today at 866-465-5395.
