Estate Planning for Parents: The Babysitter Story

As a parent you want what is best for your children.  When you first hired a babysitter for your children you didn’t just hire anyone.  Do you recall the very first time you hired a babysitter for your children?  You most likely got several referrals and conducted numerous interviews before you entrusted the care of your children to a babysitter.  A great deal of thought and planning went into the decision as to who was going to be your babysitter.

Once the babysitter is chosen, the real planning starts.   You need telephone numbers of all of the neighbors, grandparents, aunts and uncles who could be called to help the babysitter.  Cell phone numbers for the parents are provided as well.

A list of supplies is made for the babysitter:

1. Diapers
2. Baby wipes
3. Clean clothes
4. Pajamas
5. Baby formula

Instructions as to how to properly boil the baby bottles, prepare the formula and how to determine the right temperature for the formula have to be written.  Instructions were prepared for anything that might conceivably happen while you are gone for two to three hours.  Lots of planning for that first babysitter experience.  Instructions and directions must be in place every time a babysitter is hired.  The first thing parents do when they go out for the evening is to then call home immediately to make sure everything is okay with the children.

Estate Planning and Your Childrens Future

All parents have done this type of planning for a two to three hour event.  As the children grow older parents continue to give instructions regarding their children and they are constantly aware of where their children are at every moment possible.  Have you planned for the long term future of your children? Have you done any planning for when you are gone forever?  Have you provided for your children by completing as Estate Plan?  Have you determined who would care for your children in the event of your death?  Do you want a judge to decide who should care for your children?  You can’t call home to see how things are going once you have died.

The Three Step Strategy to Estate Planning process created by the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys can help you plan for your children’s needs while you are disabled or have died.

Continue to provide for your children’s needs by creating your Estate Plan.

Charles E. Dorwart, Estate Planning Attorney

3828 Dodge Street

Omaha, Nebraska 68131

(402) 558-1404

• The content of this article is provided for informational purposes only. If you need advice regarding estate planning, click here to talk to Charles E. Dorwart or an Estate Planning Attorney near you