Do you have a backup plan for your kids

[Newlysinglemum1]

I'm newly single and stbxh has no contact with ds, at best this will only ever be supervised.

My brain is probably still in overdrive at the minute but I keep thinking about what will happen to ds (2) if anything happens to me. My parents are elderly and a toddler would be too much for them, my sister is a single parent to two of her own (though their dad's and her new partner are involved) and she's financially struggling so couldn't afford to take on another child. My inlaws live hours away and due to the issues with stbxh I'm not confident on how much I want ds going there for overnights. My two best friends have the space and income but live hours away and ds rarely sees them in person and I doubt my ex would agree to that over his parents.

Have others got a plan for this? What would you do in my situation?

Yes, you should always have a plan for your kids in your will - lone parent or not

DD is grown up now but when she was younger my will stated that should anything happen to me my older sister would take her on. You need a good life insurance policy too that would fund her upbringing and beyond

Yes it's important.
The thing is there often isn't a perfect or even near perfect solution.
The situations even more complicated if you don't think the child's father is safe to have him. There is a no contact order regarding my children and their father, but as my solicitor has stated it is presumed the children would go to him first as he has PR, So even though my wishes are written in my Will, my family will care for the children and nothing formally will be done about it. As if their father doesn't know about my death, he won't be able to take the children (if that makes sense).

Could you set up a life insurance policy that would pay out to your sister if the worst should happen? Would she be happy to take ds on if finances allowed?

I think this is the best outcome in that situation so that's what I'll organise.

That sounds like a great idea.
I'm sure you're on this but definitely make an up to date will. We are just going through stress due to a close relative suddenly dying with no will in place.

Hope things improve for you now, sounds like it's been a stressful time. ♥️