Any will / guardianship experts...?

[Rogerthatmummy]

I have started a thread in chat here asking for advice re will writing and arranging for guardianship of our children.

Any contributions from MNetters who lurk in these parts would be very welcome :)

Hi, OP, have responded in general terms on your Chat thread, and am very happy to give more detailed advice if you need it.

Something which clients often want to do is to give a fixed sum to the guardian to cover the cost of raising the children.
This is never a good idea and I always advise against it for the simple reason that if, say, you make a gift of £200,000 to the guardian ( as I saw on a home made will last week), then die a week before your child is 18 the guardian has received a gift for doing nothing and the child loses out.
You also have to think of the possibility that either the guardian orchild isn't happy and the arrangement breaks down; again the guardian has profited at the child's expense.
I always write the will to ensure that the guardian isn't out of pocket but the trustees retain control of the fund until the child is at least 21.
Excuse typos, on phone!