Who gets the kids?

By Patricia Nugent

With stressful workdays and chauffeuring kids to non-stop practices and activities, parents today feel like mice on a spinning wheel.

Although there are many factors affecting their children’s well-being that are out of control, one that’s within their power is making sure the parents have a will in place.

According to local estate planning expert attorney Margaret T. Karl, “As soon as people have children, it’s a good idea to have a plan for their guardianship in the event something happens to the parent or parents. Drafting a will gives you the power to say who will care for your children, and any specifics such as where you’d like them to live or attend school, etc.”

She says over the years she’s frequently seen “nightmare scenarios” where the parents pass away without a will and grandparents from both sides of the family argue about who will raise the children.

If you pass away without a will in place, the courts will determine who gets guardianship of your children. And in the occurrence of more than one family member requesting custody, those people would put in an application to the court and a hearing would ultimately establish custody.

The good news for overscheduled parents is that drafting a will is surprisingly hassle-free. All Margie needs is an idea of your assets, and the names and addresses of people you are choosing as guardians and beneficiaries. The process usually only takes two half-hour visits.

Margaret T. Karl, Attorney at Law is located at 25800 North Depot Street, Suite 102, in Olmsted Falls. Interested in having Margie speak to your group or organization? Call 440-782-5051 or visit OlmstedOhioLaw.com.

Find out about avoiding estate planning pitfalls at an informational Dos and Donuts seminar set for Wednesday, July 13, at 10:30 a.m., at Abbewood Senior Living Community, 1210 S. Abbe Road, in Elyria.