Everyone who has children under the age of 18 years should appoint Guardians to look after their children in the event of their untimely death.

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Guardians are appointed by someone who has parental responsibility for a child – and the appointment passes on parental responsibility to the appointee.

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The birth mother always has parental responsibility.  The father only has parental responsibility in the following circumstances:

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• If he was married to the birth mother at the time of the birth – or subsequently marries her

• If he was awarded parental responsibility either through a parental responsibility agreement with the birth mother or through a court order

• If the child was born after 1 December 2003, if he is named on the child’s birth certificate

 

 

Unmarried fathers of children born before 1 December 2003 do not therefore have parental responsibility.  If the birth mother wants the natural father to look after their child after her death she must make a Will to appoint the father as Guardian.

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If everyone who has parental responsibility has died, the local authority will have parental responsibility and be responsible for the care of the child – which may be with relatives or foster carers or in a residential home.

Guardians will be responsible for looking after children until they become 18.  In choosing Guardians you should consider:

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• Age – will they be able to cope with bringing up very young children or be able to control children in their teenage years?

• Location – will your children have to move school and be separated from their friends?

• Finances – will they be able to accommodate your children? Trusts can be set up in your Will to provide income and capital for your children’s benefit.  Further provisions can be made for Guardians

• Religious/moral issues – do the Guardians have religious or other beliefs which are incompatible with the upbringing that you would like your children to have?

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If you would like further assistance or advice, we would be more than happy to discuss your personal circumstances today.