Wills update now older son has turned 18?

[Lingle]

Our sons are now 15 and 18.

I was reading another thread about choosing a guardian in the event that both parents died.

If both my husband and I died (crikey what a thought) we would want to give DS2 as much continuity as possible.

We made wills when the children were little I recall we identified DH's sister as guardian but she lives in America.

The person DS2 would be closest too would be his brother - they are mutually devoted. Since we first made wills my dad has died and my mum has become infirm. My older brother is a bit too set in his ways to contemplate moving and my younger is too quirky to be relied on though he loves his nephews. The other candidate is grandma but she and her husband would have to move here from California for a year or two (they would do it I'm sure).

Can I appoint the 18 year old plus grandma? I think Grandma would be here whilst 18 year old was at Uni.

You'll have to have a conversation with Grandma to make sure your assumption that she's move across the pond is true. She might prefer him to move to them. At least you'd know what your actual options would be.

Yes, when our eldest turned 18 we made him executor or something similar and appointed him as a guardian, with (I think), additional siblings joining this as they each progressed to 18. Also appointed my sister too

We have 5 DC so a bit different. Have initial discussion with your solicitor but then definitely discuss with your DS first. Does he want it to be grandma or is there someone else he may prefer etc.

Also knowing our DS would now be responsible/involved for everything we added some details about preferred younger siblings, funeral arrangements, inheritance type things in a letter that we hope will make things easier should the worst happen. DHs plan is that we update this once all DC have turned 18.

If I were 15 and had lost mum and dad I’d want continuity. I wouldn’t want to emigrate, especially not without my older sibling.

I’d appoint DS18 and ask your brothers to support/help him (unofficially) with arrangements and practicalities if the worst happened. I’m sure they’d do that anyway. As would the DCs’ grandparents.

I think that's right Green
I've just got the will out - I made it in 2007 when they were 5 and 2 - so the idea of them emigrating was much more realistic then.

We made older brother guardian of younger once he turned 18 in similar circumstances. Fortunately younger one is 19 now and we are still here!

We are just dealing with my Dads will. It was written when me and brother were under 18. Elder sister was over 18 and she was named our guardian. No material impact as all siblings now in their 50s.

Bigger issue was Dads sister being named as joint executor with elder sister. Aunt has dementia and so we are having to get her removed as executor so sister can just do the necessary.

maybe big brother should be executor too then? to get it down the generations quickly?

My parents renewed their wills when middle brother turned 18, I'm oldest we both would have been legally responsible for our 12 year old brother.

Thanks.
Have discussed with and notified all the family