What paperwork is needed to ensure child doesn't go into foster care if both parents die

[Anonymous]

With corona hitting the area and two parents with conditions that put them at higher risk of catching it, I want to take precautions and make sure everything is in order should we both die. I heard that children automatically go into foster care, versus going to live with relatives, unless there is a will stating who should take them in. Does anyone on here know what might suffice using document templates printed from the web, without having to make an appointment with a lawyer? And what do you do with the document so the right people know what to do?

[Anonymous]

p.s. We live in DC.

[Anonymous]

There is a template on the DCPL website (database so you’ll need to log in using your library card): https://dclibrary.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/dclib_main?db=TGLF

I believe it needs to be notarized.

[Anonymous]

Have someone listed in your will to become their guardian.

[Anonymous]

OP you should have a will already. Not because of a virus. Second, no kids don’t automatically go to foster care. That is a last resort. If there are relatives who are able to care for a child, kid will go there first. Seriously people, who doesn’t make a will when you have a child?

[Anonymous]

Do you have a relative who has agreed to take them, even if they test positive?

[Anonymous]

Do you have a will?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you have a will?

I have a will I had made before kids. I never updated it. (Yes, I know, but it is what it is.) It's in a file cabinet where noone would ever find it anyway.

[Anonymous]

Update your will. Make copies and give to a couple trustworthy friends and family and the person you’d like your kids to end up with. This isn’t complicated. Google will template, fill it out, notarize, done.

[Anonymous]

How old are your kids?
Younger one's are more vulnerable and are taken into care more aggressively. Older kids not so much.
Sibling groups are split up if they cannot be placed together, which does happen. Mostly social workers avoid taking older kids into care. A 16 year old can be taught to live on their own instead. Kids age out when they turn 19. Some are just given a ride to the homeless shelter.

25% of foster kids become incarcerated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With corona hitting the area and two parents with conditions that put them at higher risk of catching it, I want to take precautions and make sure everything is in order should we both die. I heard that children automatically go into foster care, versus going to live with relatives, unless there is a will stating who should take them in. Does anyone on here know what might suffice using document templates printed from the web, without having to make an appointment with a lawyer? And what do you do with the document so the right people know what to do?

Your info is wrong. CPS will first try to find any relative to take in the kids.

You should still have a will though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How old are your kids?
Younger one's are more vulnerable and are taken into care more aggressively. Older kids not so much.
Sibling groups are split up if they cannot be placed together, which does happen. Mostly social workers avoid taking older kids into care. A 16 year old can be taught to live on their own instead. Kids age out when they turn 19. Some are just given a ride to the homeless shelter.

25% of foster kids become incarcerated.

No 16 year old is living alone. Being taught independent living skills does not mean "living alone."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:With corona hitting the area and two parents with conditions that put them at higher risk of catching it, I want to take precautions and make sure everything is in order should we both die. I heard that children automatically go into foster care, versus going to live with relatives, unless there is a will stating who should take them in. Does anyone on here know what might suffice using document templates printed from the web, without having to make an appointment with a lawyer? And what do you do with the document so the right people know what to do?

Your info is wrong. CPS will first try to find any relative to take in the kids.

You should still have a will though.

Depends on the CPS. We had a family member leave us their young child when she passed. Someone else worked out a deal with CPS and took the child. We fought it in the courts and lost.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:With corona hitting the area and two parents with conditions that put them at higher risk of catching it, I want to take precautions and make sure everything is in order should we both die. I heard that children automatically go into foster care, versus going to live with relatives, unless there is a will stating who should take them in. Does anyone on here know what might suffice using document templates printed from the web, without having to make an appointment with a lawyer? And what do you do with the document so the right people know what to do?

Your info is wrong. CPS will first try to find any relative to take in the kids.

You should still have a will though.

Depends on the CPS. We had a family member leave us their young child when she passed. Someone else worked out a deal with CPS and took the child. We fought it in the courts and lost.

That's a different situation from what the OP is talking about.

Was this person also a family member?

I have volunteered with CPS in two states. If two parents pass away, the first thing that would happen in both states is the agency would try to find a relative.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP you should have a will already. Not because of a virus. Second, no kids don’t automatically go to foster care. That is a last resort. If there are relatives who are able to care for a child, kid will go there first. Seriously people, who doesn’t make a will when you have a child?

We have two children and no will. Not everyone has the money to just throw at a lawyer. I get that it’s smart to have one but it’s also extremely unlikely that it will be put to use and lots of people need to weigh the odds rather than give a $1000 to a lawyer. (Or even $300, which is the low-end.)