Resources

Choosing a Guardian

Can A Parent Appoint A Guardian For An Incapacitated Adult Child ?

by Rania Combs

The thing that worries most parents about dying is typically not what will happen to their stuff. It’s who will take care of their kids. And the worries are compounded for parents of children with special needs who may need a guardian throughout their lives.

You know your child’s personality, temperament, fears, likes and dislikes better than anyone else. So you are in the best position to choose the person who will to serve as your child’s guardian. The Texas Estates Code provides that if you are the parent and guardian of an incapacitated adult child, you can, either by will or declaration, appoint a person to serve as your child’s guardian after your death or in the event of your incapacity.

If you do so, the court will appoint the person you select in preference to anyone else entitled to serve as guardian unless that person is disqualified, dead, refuses to serve, or the court determines that appointing him or her would not serve your child’s best interest. But if you don’t appoint a guardian, then a judge who does not know your child as well as you will have to make that decision in your place.

You know your child better than anyone. You are uniquely qualified to decide who should take care of your him or her in the event of your death or incapacity. By taking the steps necessary to legally appoint that person, you can rest assured that your child will be well cared for by a person you believe is best suited to step into your shoes.

About Rania

Rania graduated magna cum laude from South Texas College of Law Houston and is the founder of Rania Combs Law, PLLC. She has been licensed to practice law since 1994 and enjoys helping clients in Texas and North Carolina create estate plans that give them peace of mind.

Learn more about how we can help you.

Get Started

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comments