Your Child’s Guardians
The next very important aspect that you do not see in store bought Wills or those “standard” or “simple Wills” is the appointment of a Guardian for your child. Your Will is the best place to do this. Your child’s God Parents are not given this appointment by virtue of you appointing them as such over dinner conversation. You must provide for this in your Will.
Chat to your proposed Guardians. Do they have capacity to care for child? Make the moral and value decision’s about how you want your child’s upbringing to be. Do you have a trust in place to assist the Guardians smooth upbringing of your children? Will you appoint one Guardian, or that person’s spouse as well?
You can also make provision in your Will that it need not matter where in the world your child or Guardian is situated in order for the Guardianship clause to still be given effect to. You can also provide that the Guardians not be obliged to provide security for the proper performance of their duties as Guardians. Without a Will, this is not your choice and security will likely have to be provided by the Guardian. This is an onerous financial burden on the Guardian.
There is MUCH more to discuss, and much more detail that I can go into, which I will save for another blog post. But I hope that this information begins to steers you towards “getting around” to amending or drafting your Wills. I strongly advise obtaining the assistance and guidance of a suitably qualified person, acting solely in your best interests. Revise your Will regularly as the circumstances in your life, relationships and financial situation change.
If you have any questions you are welcome to contact the writer, Jayde Fryer, on 079 877 7137 or electronically on jayde@jjfryer.co.za or www.jjfryer.co.za