KIDS PROTECTION PLANNING

Don’t leave your kids at risk.

The worst-case scenario, if you are in an accident, is that your kids get taken into the care of strangers, or someone you wouldn’t want, even for a short while. If something happens to you, you want the peace of mind of knowing they are with someone you chose, and that your kids know, love and trust. Naming godparents, or even having a will alone, won’t do it.

You need a Kids Protection Plan® to ensure your kids are raised by the people you want, in the way you want, and never taken into the care of strangers, or anyone you wouldn’t want caring for them.

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You need more than a will

A will alone won’t cover
the care of your kids.

Even if you have a will, and even if you have named legal guardians in your will, that’s not going to keep your kids out of the care of strangers if you are in an accident. I know, it may be a shocker, especially if you’ve worked with a lawyer. It was to our founder, Ali Katz, too. That’s why she created the Kids Protection Plan. 

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Naming godparents won’t keep your kids in the care of people you want.

Naming godparents is great, and we recommend you do it because every kid needs mentors and guides on their side. But, that’s not going to ensure your godparents can take custody of your kids, even temporarily, if you are in an accident. Godparents do not have legal standing in front of a court or with authorities to take care of your kids.

Name legal guardians for your kids now
Naming godparents isn't enough

The 6 mistakes most parents (and their lawyers) make when naming guardians.

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Named a couple to act as guardians when you don’t really want both people in the couple and you haven’t said what should happen if the couple broke up or one of the partners in the couple died.

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Only named one possible guardian. What if something happens to your first choice?

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Have not considered financial resources when deciding who should raise your children. Your guardians do not have to (and often should not) be financial decision-makers for your kids. 

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Only have a Will, which means the Court will distribute your money; it’s totally public and doesn’t protect your money from divorce and lawsuits.

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Did not exclude anyone who might challenge your guardian's decisions or who you know you’d never want to care for your kids.

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Only named guardians for the long-term and did not make any arrangements for the short term if you were in an accident. What would happen in those immediate hours until your permanent guardians could arrive?

Create a Kids Protection Plan with your Personal Family Lawyer.

A comprehensive Kids Protection Plan is the only way to assure yourself that your kids will be raised by the people you want, in the way you want, by the people your kids know, like, and trust, if something happens to you.

Your Personal Family Lawyer has the training and systems in place to plan for your children — whether they are minors or children with special needs who will need care for their lifetime — Personal Family Lawyer firms are uniquely trained to care for the people you love the very most.

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Use our search tool to locate a professional, certified, Personal Family Lawyer in your area.

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Feel secure knowing your kids are in the hands you want if you can’t be there for them.

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Know you’ve made the right choices for the people you love.

A relationship with a lawyer that you and your family are able to turn to in times of need.

Frequently asked questions

I have a Will that names guardians for my kids. Isn’t that enough?

Naming guardians is just one part of the having a Life and Legacy Plan. By focusing exclusively on that, you leave many risks unaddressed.

Does a regular check-in cost more money?

Personal Family Lawyer firms don’t bill by the hour, and every service they provide is priced transparently so you know exactly what you’re getting. Discuss with your PFL their pricing structure and how to get the service you need.

How does Estate Planning change if I’m a single parent?

Quite a lot! Single parenthood is just one of the many family dynamics that go into a Life and Legacy Plan. Like anything, it affects what kind of planning you need and how your plan should be structured and serviced moving forward.

What happens to my kids of my partner and I aren’t married? 

The scary answer is: it depends. Based on your unique state and even county laws, your kids future could go many different directions. It’s incredibly important that you get the planning you need.

Can my same-sex partner adopt my kids?

All direct legal advice comes through our Personal Family Lawyer firms based on your unique situation and legal jurisdiction. Adoption laws change state-to-state so it's important that you plan for yours.

What’s the difference between a will and a trust? 

Like any legal documents, they play unique roles in estate plans. It’s not a question of deciding between them, but HOW you decide what you’re planning toward and for and then how that plan gets implemented and structured.

I was out to dinner with my husband, our 2-year old daughter home with a babysitter, when it hit me … 

Even though I had named legal guardians for her in our will, and I was an estate planning lawyer at a top law firm in Los Angeles, our baby girl would be taken into the care of strangers if we didn’t make it home that night.

 

All of the legal guardians I had named lived more than 3,000 miles away. And, even if they were down the street, no one would be able to find my will for days. My babysitter would have no idea what to do. And the authorities would have no choice but to take our daughter into the care of strangers while they figured it out.

 

I went home that night and created the Kids Protection Plan® to ensure my daughter would never be taken into the care of anyone I wouldn’t want.

 

If you have a child at home, you need a Kids Protection Plan too. A will alone isn’t enough.

 
😻 🙏,

Ali's Signature
Ali Katz
Personal Family Lawyer + 
Founder, New Law Business Model & 
Eyes Wide Open Life
Founder Ali Katz
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Get your copy and learn how to plan for your family’s future.

There are many basic considerations when planning for your family’s security.

But if you’re like most people, chances are good you don’t have all the information you need to make confident decisions to create that security. Details about guardianship, assets, long-term care and more. “Wear Clean Underwear” puts that knowledge in your hands and helps you safeguard the future of your legacy and family.

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