Guardians for Children

Why Appoint Guardians?

If you have children under 18, one of the most important decisions you can make is choosing who will care for them if you die. A guardian is someone who takes on parental responsibility for your children and makes decisions about their upbringing.

Without a Will naming guardians, the courts will decide who raises your children. This may not be the person you would have chosen, and the process can be lengthy and stressful for your family.

What Does a Guardian Do?

A guardian takes on many of the responsibilities of a parent, including:

• Providing day-to-day care and a home for your children
• Making decisions about their education
• Consenting to medical treatment
• Managing their religious and moral upbringing
• Protecting and maintaining their property until they are 18
• Acting in their best interests in all matters

Next Steps

Appointing guardians in your Will is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your children. Our online service makes it simple to include guardian appointments as part of your Will.