Did you just have your first child? Congratulations! It’s an exciting time in your life, and you’re probably wondering what you need to do as a new parent. While there are a lot of steps you need to take, let’s focus for a moment on one of the most important: writing a will.
Often, people think of a will as a way to leave assets to adult children when they pass away in the distant future. It may be that, but you also want to consider how a will can help if you pass away while your child is still young.
This probably involves passing down assets. What is the best way to do it? If your child is too young to realistically own and manage those assets, you may want to put them into a trust. You will also need to appoint a guardian for the child. You’ll need to give that guardian or some other adult control over the assets.
Choosing a guardian is one of the most important things you can do. Where is your child going to live? Who will provide for them? How can you feel sure that they will be safe and cared for if you’re not around to do it? Nothing can replace you as a parent, but you can use your will to make sure that the child’s basic needs are met and that they have a loving, stable home.
The birth of your child is an indicator that it’s time to write a will, regardless of your own age. An experienced estate planning attorney can help you.
