The demise of Lisa Marie Presley highlights many property planning points, similar to owing cash to the IRS, the destiny of the Graceland Property, and her belief. Nevertheless, one other main concern is what occurs to her 14-year-old daughters.

Presley has two youngsters along with her first husband, Danny Keogh. A kind of youngsters died in 2020. She additionally has two teenage twins from her fourth husband, Michael Lockwood. Presley and Lockwood divorced and had a five-year custody dispute that gave Presley 60% custody and Lockwood 40% custody. When the twins had been with Presley, she was residing along with her first husband, who now thinks of them as his stepchildren.

Now, what occurs to her youngest youngsters? Are Presley’s youngsters heading into one other custody battle?

All Shook Up

Not solely are Presley’s younger daughters grieving their mom’s demise, however they’re additionally unsure about who will look after them. Throughout Presley and Lockwood’s divorce and custody battle, there have been allegations on each side relating to parental health, and the kids had been beneath state custody for a quick time.

Keogh might need to petition the courtroom for custodial time. Additionally, their grandmother, Priscilla Presley, might ask the courtroom for guardianship of the twins. In California, usually, a surviving dad or mum will get custody of their youngsters following the demise of their different dad or mum. Nevertheless, a courtroom decides what’s in one of the best pursuits of the kids, leaving open the potential of awarding custody to another person. Because the ladies are 14, a courtroom may additionally think about their choice of the place they need to stay.

Nevertheless, a courtroom provides nice weight to who the dad or mum names as a guardian in a will. A dad or mum is aware of what’s finest for his or her youngsters. So, if Presley left a will naming her needs for her twins’ guardian, the courtroom would use that in its willpower. That is why it’s important to checklist your guardian choice (and backup decisions) in a will. In case your first alternative is unable or unwilling to serve, the courtroom can take a look at your second alternative.

Do not Be Merciless

Studying headlines of superstar deaths and issues they’d with out correct property planning ought to immediate you to do your individual property planning. Particularly you probably have younger youngsters, it’s crucial to call a guardian for them. Do not go away it as much as a courtroom that does not perceive your youngsters and your loved ones dynamics.

What To Contemplate When Selecting a Guardian

You could have many decisions or a tough time figuring out an ideal guardian. (Spoiler Alert: There is no such thing as a excellent guardian). Nevertheless, you may ask your self the next questions:

• What’s the relationship between your youngsters and the guardian? Have they got a detailed relationship? Are they snug with the guardian?
• Do your youngsters have to maneuver or change colleges to stay with their guardian? Contemplate what influence your alternative of guardian has in your youngsters.
• Is the guardian mentally and bodily capable of care in your youngsters? It’s your decision your mother and father to behave as guardians, however you have to significantly think about their ages and talent to care in your youngsters till they attain maturity.

Contemplate Your Kids’s Wants

One other large consider selecting an appropriate guardian is your youngsters’s persona and particular person scenario. Look how realistically a guardian matches along with your youngsters’s wants by asking the next:

• What are your kid’s pursuits and actions?
• Have they got particular wants similar to a psychological or bodily incapacity?
• Have they got any medical issues?
• What’s their private life like? Religious life?
• What’s their identification or orientation?
• What’s their habits and temperament?

It is Now or By no means

Property planning is rarely one thing you need to do, but it’s crucial to guard your loved ones, particularly minor youngsters. You identify a guardian in your youngsters in a final will and testomony and any backup guardians. It’s simple to create a state-specific will with on-line property planning companies or by contacting an property planning legal professional. Simply get it finished.