Did you know over 24,000 children lose a parent every year in Britain? Even worse, very few parents have appointed legal guardians to look after their children if they were to die.

Parental ‘child-related’ concerns

There are many child-related concerns that parents have which keep them up at night (if the toddler isnít doing that already). A recent survey by yahoo.com uncovered the top ten concerns of parents of young children. Weíve recorded the top five:

1. Illness

2. Sleep

3. Potty training

4. Teething

5. What products to buy

But it doesnít stop there. As children grow and change, so too do the concerns of their parents – weíve all heard the stories about parents moving home in order to live in areas which have better schools. Such is the life of a parent when they are trying to provide the best for their children.

One important item parents often neglect is making a Will, namely to choose a legal guardian. Specifically, a Will allows parents to appoint someone to look after their children if they pass away while their child is still a minor.

Whom to appoint as a Guardian?

A common reason cited for holding people back from making their Will is selection: who should they appoint from among their family and loved ones as their guardian?

Choosing a guardian can be emotional as well as tricky, if youíre having to consider not upsetting family members. Weíve listed the most popular criteria parents use when choosing a guardian:

1. Someone who has a good relationship with their children.

2. Someone who understands how they raise their children (values, morals, discipline etc).

3. Someone who has the financial means to look after their children.

4. Someone who lives nearby, so the children are not unnecessarily displaced.

With over 24,000 British children bereaved of parents every year, perhaps guardianship is something every parent should take the time to decide upon. By delaying the Will-making process, parents unwittingly expose their children to court battles, family disputes and maybe even foster care.

The cost of Will-making

Misconceptions that surround making a Will (complexity, time and cost) add to the reasons not enough parents get around to making them. This should simply not be the case.

Making your Will should be a simple, timely process explained in plain English regardless of your circumstance.

Professionally drawn up Wills for couples start from as little as £250.

When you think about the potential cost of court battles or leaving your childís guardian to chance or just the trauma a vulnerable little person could face because you havenít made a Will, the cost of making a Will should pale into comparison.

Making a Will is a great way to safeguard your childrenís future after you have gone. If you havenít already, think about appointing guardians under your Will today.

If would like to find out more about appointing guardians or making your Will, please call us on 020 8537 3448 or send an email to wills@ashtongrace.co.uk

Ashton Grace ñ specialists in Wills & Estate Planning†