The guardian will have the legal right to take care of the child as well as the right to make important decisions in their life. If you do not name a legal Guardian in your Will, you are allowing the Courts to decide who looks after your children and where they live, regardless of what you might have verbally agreed with a family member or a friend. You can appoint a legal guardian for your child by making a new will, or by making a small alteration to your existing will. It should be noted that to become a legal guardian, the person must be over the age of 18 and have a direct interest in the dependents well-being and financial security. Appointing legal Guardians enables you to choose and control who will look after your children in the event of your death. Speak to April King Legal’s lawyers today for advice on guardianship clauses and other aspects of your Will, specific to your circumstances. Guardianship is governed by the Children Act 1989. Some states also have a co-guardianship law, where a parent can ask the court to appoint a third party as a permanent co-guardian. Who should you appoint as a guardian? Your Solicitor will assist with the court application to have you appointed as guardian. A guardian will look after your child’s everyday needs, make important decisions about their Choosing a guardian for your loved one is a very personal matter, so the choice should be between you and your chosen guardian. If you have a child that is under the age of 18, you may wish to appoint a legal guardian to look after them should you die before they reach the age of majority. If the mother has appointed a different person as guardian for the child then both appointees will share parental responsibility. Those parents with Parental Responsibility can appoint a Legal Guardian for their children, in the event that they die whilst the child is under 18. It’s important the person you appoint is willing and genuinely ready to take on legal guardianship for a child. Guardian ad Litem: A guardian ad litem is a guardian appointed by the court to represent the ward’s interests during legal proceedings. Here are a few tips: Ask the chosen guardian for permission first! If financial powers are sought it may also be necessary to obtain a report on your suitability as a financial guardian. We’ll send you a link to a feedback form. The forms and procedures for obtaining legal guardianship vary greatly from state to state, so always consult with an attorney. How to make someone a legal guardian. The reports require to be dated within 30 days of the application to the court for guardianship. To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Should I appoint a legal guardian? 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