In an estate plan, a very critical component is the future of your children. While nothing is ever guaranteed, having a solid foundation of support and assistance for a child can make a huge difference. One of the big questions that comes with this is: who will be the guardian? Determining guardianship can be a very lengthy process, and even then, complications can arise.
The lengthy process stems from the lengthy criteria. Everything from a source of revenue, to their values comes into play. But sometimes, even after all that conversation and contemplation, guardianship is less than satisfactory and requires termination. It can be for the tame reason that the child ages into adulthood. But the causes can range into unpleasant.
Why people terminate a guardianship
- The guardian becomes sick: Life throws curve balls sometimes. Someone may have been perfectly capable and functioning, but suddenly their very well-being is at risk.
- The guardian dies: This would prompt a need for change, and it shouldn’t be hard to prove the need for such a thing.
- A petition from someone else: Occasionally, it will be the case that someone invested in the well-being of a child will see that the guardian themselves is no longer suitable. This someone can be anyone.
- Unreliability: Due to any number of factors, be it a positive or negative lifestyle change on behalf of the guardian, the needs of the child, and the provisions of the guardian may not match up.
With the passing of years, so much change can come in both gifts and burdens. People design estate plans so that their lives and other lives may proceed forward in a positive trajectory, but in truth, it is hard to know what parts of life will stay on a pleasant path. If a guardianship needs requires termination, reaching out to a legal professional could be tremendously helpful. After all, in the interest of the ward, the process should go as smoothly as possible.