Appoint Living Guardians If You’re Quarantined Or Hospitalised

It is always important to consider what would happen to our children if we are unable to care for them for whatever reason. Still, in the current climate, with the Coronavirus spreading fast across the globe, it is even more pressing.

Most parents are aware that they should appoint testamentary guardians for their children, should both parents pass away.

However, what if the parents fell ill and had to be hospitalised or quarantined without the children? Or if they had been in an accident, leaving them incapacitated? Or even if they had just taken a weekend away without kids and were simply out of reach?

OK, this last one may not be anything any of us would consider right now, but many of us have previously, and surely will again, once this mayhem blows over.

The appointment of guardians that you have made in a Will only comes into effect if both parents have passed away. So what happens if at least one parent is still alive but incapacitated, or somehow neither parent was able to care for the children?

No one would have the legal responsibility for the children, and they could end up in state care until the parents were able to claim them back.

Relying on a helper looking after the kids and fending off the authorities, may not be the best solution – we all know that helpers are not highly regarded by the authorities, and if her employer is incapacitated, she could even face problems of her own.

The solution – Appoint a legal Living Guardian who can step in and look after your children while you’re incapacitated or out of reach.

Should you be unable to communicate in any way, then the living guardian would also be nominated as a medical proxy, to make medical decisions for your children on your behalf, should they need medical attention.

Get in touch today to have peace of mind that even if the worst or anything unexpected should happen, your children will be properly cared for.