Checklist: Planning Ahead for Minor Children

Choosing a guardian for your minor children is not something that anyone wants to think about, but it is very important to plan ahead if you do have minor children. This checklist provides some key things to think about and steps to take to ensure your minor children are cared for according to your wishes.

• Choose the right person to serve as guardian of your minor child. You can download our worksheet to help you make this important decision. But here are some key factors to think about:
  • Who does your child currently feel comfortable around?
  • Where does the potential guardian(s) live?
  • Will your child have to move schools, cities, state, etc.?
  • Would the guardian move to your child’s location?
  • What is the potential guardian’s parenting style like?
  • How was the guardian raised as a child?
  • What is the potential guardian’s lifestyle like?
  • Do they already have children?
  • How old are they?
  • Does the potential guardian have a stable job and secure financial situation?
  • Is this potential guardian also going to be your child’s financial trustee?
  • If not, who would you like to be your child’s financial trustee?
  • Consider a secondary guardian, in case the first guardian is unavailable. Note: if you choose a couple, you should only name one person in the couple, or choose the second person as a secondary guardian.
• Include your choice of guardian(s) in your will.
• Document instructions about your wishes. For example, you could write a:
  • Letter to your child’s guardian detailing wishes and desires for how your child is to be raised.
    • What type of school do you want your child to attend, do you want your child raised in a
      certain faith, or visit with certain family members regularly?
  • Letter to your child’s trustee or guardian detailing wishes and desires for how your child is to be financially raised.
    • Do you want them to get a job and work their way through school or be able to focus solely on their studies? Would you want them to have a new car or a safe used car? How much would you help with in paying for a wedding, starting a business, or buying a house?
• During your life, if you are unable to make medical decisions for your minor child, you can designate an adult to make those decisions instead. Some states have a Health Care Consent for Minor Children form that you can use. You can also write up your own document or contact an attorney to learn about your state’s rules.
• Make a list of your child’s health care providers, any current medications your child is taking, and any immunizations that your child has received.
• Create a list of contact information for important family members and friends.
• Create a list of important advisors such as your estate planning attorney, accountant, or financial advisor.

For more information, explore our Estate Planning Topic Page and our Cancer Finances Module.

Last reviewed for updates: 01/2022

Disclaimer: This handout is intended to provide general information on the topics presented. It is provided with the understanding that Triage Cancer is not engaged in rendering any legal, medical, or professional services by its publication or distribution. Although this content was reviewed by a professional, it should not be used as a substitute for professional services. © Triage Cancer 2022

Sharing Triage Cancer's Quick Guide for Health Care Professionals: Helping Your Patients Make Disclosure Decisions

We're glad you find this resource helpful! Please feel free to share it with your communities or to post a link on your organization's website. However, this content may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without the express permission of Triage Cancer. Please email us at info@TriageCancer.org to request permission.

This Quick Guide can be downloaded and printed for free. If you are a health care professional, we provide free, bulk copies of many of our resources. To make a request, visit TriageCancer.org/MaterialRequest.