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Health & Fitness

Deadly Family Car Accidents Remind Dallas & Hiram Parents To Name Legal Guardians

Following a string of deadly family car accidents across the country, Dallas GA & Hiram parents are reminded to name legal guardians for their minor kids in the event of their death or incapacity.  Marietta family estate planning attorney Steve Worrall reveals 5 easy ways to protect your family if tragedy strikes. 

Marietta, Georgia (07/17/2013) - In July of 2011, parents Josh and Robin Berry were driving home to Texas from a vacation in Colorado with their 3 kids in the back seat of the car when the unthinkable happened—an SUV crossed into their lane and hit the family head on. 

Mom and dad were killed instantly, while the accident left two of the Berry children paralyzed from the chest down.  The tragedy sent shockwaves around the country with celebrities such as Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber pitching in to help the orphaned children, who will now need a lifetime of medical care. 

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Just six months later in January of 2012, Victoria Valdez was killed when the car driven by the father of her child rolled several times down the road. He had been drinking earlier that night and was charged with vehicular manslaughter for her death.  With both parents now gone, a very public and nasty battle raged among the grandparents for custody of the couple’s 14-month-old baby.  

Then in March of 2012, Mary and Elisa Wilcox of Missouri, along with their 3-year-old son, were beaming as they drove their newborn baby home from the hospital for the first time. Their joy quickly turned tragic when a car entered their lane and killed everyone, except for the newborn.  Never having a chance to know his parents, who will step up to give the child love and financial care from birth? 

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And here in Georgia, on February 22, 2013, Stephen and Camie Joyner were driving in their van with their 3 year old daughter, Dakota, on Interstate 16 in Savannah, when a car crossed the median and hit them head on, killing the parents and leaving Dakota orphaned. She will now be raised by her maternal grandparents. 

These are just 4 of many tragedies over the past couple of years that have caused parents across the country to realize just how common deadly accidents can be that kill or incapacitate both parents—and why it’s so important to have an emergency plan in place. 

Otherwise, Marietta Kids Protection Planning attorney Steve Worrall says, critical decisions about your children’s future and financial well-being will be left in the hands of social services and the courts if something happens to you.

“Unless you legally document your wishes, a judge could appoint someone you would never choose to raise your kids if something happens to you,” says Worrall.  “Every parent has the responsibility of hand picking a legal guardian and leaving enough financial resources behind so their kids are raised exactly how they would want if the unthinkable happens,” he adds. 

To help Paulding County, Dallas & Hiram parents get started creating an emergency plan for their family, Worrall recommends taking 5 easy steps: 

1.      Choose legal guardians whom you trust to raise your children in the event of your death or incapacity.

2.      Choose short-term guardians who live within 20 minutes your house who could stay with your kids during an emergency or until their long-term guardians arrive.

3.      Carry an ID card letting police or medical personnel know that you have minor kids at home and how to contact your guardians so that your children are never placed in the care of social services.

4.      Leave behind enough financial resources to ensure your chosen guardians can raise your kids without worry or struggle.

5.      Legally document your choices so that your wishes are honored if tragedy strikes!

“Naming guardians for minor children is easy, and having it done will make a world of difference for your family if the unthinkable happens,” says Worrall.  “Every parent should talk to an attorney about having a will and naming guardians to make sure their children always stay protected—no matter what happens.” 

For more information on naming guardians for minor children or about Dallas GA & Hiram area estate planning attorney Steve Worrall, please visit www.georgiafamilylaw.com or call 770-425-6060. 

For a FREE AND EASY resource to get you started and walk you through the process of naming legal guardians for FREE, go to http://www.gakpp.com.

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