Role of the Guardian
The role of the guardian will essentially be the role you have now as a parent - caring for your children, acting in their best interests, and providing for them physically, emotionally, psychologically, spiritually, and culturally.
When considering who could take custody of your children, there are a number of questions to address:
- Are they willing to serve as guardian of your children?
- Do they have the maturity and stability to parent your children?
- Do they have the time and energy to take on the task of raising your children?
- Is their age or health a consideration?
- Do they know and love (or at least care about) your children?
- Do your children like them?
- Will they love your children and provide the support, comfort and nurture that your children will need?
- Will they make it possible for your children to visit their grandparents or other relatives or close family friends?
- How far away do they live?
- Do they have room for your children, or will they need extra funds to allow them to add on or buy a larger house?
- Will they need to buy a larger vehicle?
- Are their values and financial lifestyle comparable to yours?
- If your children are homeschooled, how will this be handled?
- Will one parent have to quit work in order to take care of your children?
- Do they share your religious beliefs and practices?