Sunday, November 14, 2010

November Is Child Safety Awareness Month

For many people, November stands for Thanksgiving and colder weather as we all start to feel the hustle and bustle of the holidays. However, November also holds the key to protecting future generations, because it is National Child Safety and Protection month! Accident prevention and the physical well being of your children are a natural worry for any parent. Parents should be concerned with dangers around the home and hazards on the play ground.  However, what about hidden dangers?   What about things that may not be physical and obvious?

Mothers, fathers, and guardians are the greatest protectors of our children; but what would happen if they were not there to safeguard our youth? Unfortunately, many children face such situations when their parents pass away or are no longer able to care for them. These children, left to the hands of unknown government actors, suffer the sad loss of a parent as well as the loss of their protectors.  Parents often fail to put their wishes regarding their children in writing, leaving their wishes unknown.  

The law does provide an option to protect your children. This is accomplished through comprehensive estate planning; by drafting documents that are intended to carry out a person’s wishes when they can no longer make them known. Estate Planning includes provisions to make sure that trusted individuals that you choose can take over safeguarding children. Estate Planning also provides for children in other ways such as making sure there is enough money for their care and upbringing.

Naturally, people react to the physical world and take every measure possible to protect those little ones. It is less obvious to ensure the legal protection of children. Estate Planning is often stereotyped as something the elderly need, but it is actually needed at many ages, especially when you are a parent. As a parent, if you should happen to pass away earlier than expected, will your wishes regarding your children be protected? A comprehensive Estate Plan can protect what is most valuable, and ensure the continued success of your children. Please seek the professional skills of an estate planning attorney to help you protect your children.