A guardianship designation form is a legal document that specifically designates who will assume guardianship of minor children in the event of the parents' death or incapacitation. It's a more straightforward and focused document compared to a will, as its primary purpose is to ensure the welfare and care of minors. A will is a legal document that outlines how a person's assets and estate will be distributed after their death. While a will commonly includes provisions for guardianship of minor children, it encompasses broader instructions regarding the distribution of property, the appointment of executors, and other matters related to the deceased individual's estate.
‍
With Trustie, it's possible to designate a guardian without necessarily going through the entire process of creating a will, providing a simpler and more accessible alternative, which many states now permit.
‍
In summary, while both a guardianship designation form and a will involve decisions about who will care for minor children in the event of the parents' absence, they differ in scope and complexity. A guardianship designation form focuses solely on guardianship matters, whereas a will encompasses broader estate planning considerations.

Our platform is currently available for residents of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Florida, Texas, and Washington. However, we're diligently working on expanding our services to additional states in the near future. We understand the importance of accessibility and are committed to serving customers in more regions. Keep an eye out for updates as we expand our reach and offerings to provide comprehensive estate planning services to even more individuals.

We launched Trustie to provide parents with a quick and easy way to legally protect their children. That's why we designed the process to take 5 minutes.

Trustie's guardianship designation process has been reviewed and approved by attorneys. To make sure that your documents are legally binding, make sure to print and sign them according to your state's execution requirments (either in front of 2 witnesses or with notarization). You can learn more about these processes in our Trustie Resource Center.

Make multiple copies of the completed and notarized guardianship documents. Keep the originals in a secure location, and distribute copies to your designated guardian, close family members, and possibly your child's school or healthcare provider.

Inform the designated guardian about their role and responsibilities. Discuss your preferences regarding your child's upbringing, education, medical care, and any other relevant details.