Page 28 - LDBD Magazine - Issue 22 - Jan Feb Mar 2018

LDBD in every issue ◊ Legal TALK

Legal Essentials for Parents

By: Toni Moore, Esq.

doesn’t receive in regards to specific bequests. Regardless of the fear
which by the way is false evidence appearing real, I can attest to how
crazy life becomes for most families in the absence of final instructions.
Family members go on what seems to be a treasure hunt looking for
bank accounts/life insurance policies to pay for burial expenses. Others
become desperate trying to figure out whether or not the home will go
into foreclosure within months of the breadwinner’s death. And still
others end up fighting over issues that could have been avoided if the
decedent had made an executive decision to execute a will.

Thirdly, is your child/ren having problems at school? Not every child
thrives in the compulsory education environment. But that doesn’t
mean your child should suffer because s/he is not deemed as normal. If
your child is manifesting behavioral problems at school, you should ask
your school to evaluate your child's need for special education services.
This request should be in writing and should include your consent for
evaluation. Trust me when I say you should release your fear of having
your child being “labeled” and embrace your rightful position as your
child’s advocate. Unfortunately, if you don’t no one else will.
Most people rarely think about how law impacts their lives until they Fourth, is your child being abused? Whether physical, mental or emo-
need something. More specifically, individuals may seek legal counsel tional abuse from another child, parent, family member or another adult,
when the family decides to move to a bigger house, to start a business, trauma should not be tolerated. First, your child is a gift from God and
when the breadwinner passes away or even worse when the family falls has a right to peace, joy and the pursuit of happiness. Similarly, you
apart. will be held accountable if you know that your child is being victimized
but you do nothing about it; especially if something happens to your
Unfortunately, seeking legal counsel when you’re desperate is not the child. Accordingly, routinely check your child’s body for unexplained
best time to have a rational conversation about your next steps or best bruises, talk to your child openly so that s/he is not forced to suffer in
alternatives to a seemingly abysmal situation. Accordingly, I want to silence and bring in the authorities or professionals as soon as you sus-
apprise you of a few legal issues you should address and handle while pect your child/ren has been abused.
you are cool, calm and collected.
Lastly, are you raising a jr. boss? I’m always awed by children who step
First, do you have a guardianship plan for your minor child/ren? No one up to the plate of entrepreneurship at a young age. I’m also awed by the
really wants to discuss the possibility of an illness, accident or delay parents who assist their children and work as an employee, Trustee/CEO
through no fault of our own. However, things fall apart when least ex- of their minor child’s business. If you’re raising a jr. boss, it’s advisable
pected. A Guardianship Agreement should be drafted to identify who that you ensure that the business is properly formalized in your state,
you want to take care of your child if you can’t. The Agreement typical- that any service contracts between yourself and your child have been
ly includes such things as shelter, education, food and medical care. properly drafted—even if that includes hiring an Independent Fiduciary,
Additionally, the Agreement allows guardians to manage the finances of all intellectual property is registered, monetized and protected, local,
the child, make medical, educational and religious decisions. Most im- state and federal taxes are paid and that your child’s earnings are being
portantly, the Agreement ensures that your child/ren lives are not drasti- diligently saved and/or spent until s/he reaches the age of majority.
cally changed because of a short-term emergency.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Secondly, have you drafted your will? Once again, no one wants to dis-
cuss let alone draft a will. Perhaps they fear they may die as soon as the Toni Moore, Esq. is an author, speaker and Business Attorney who
ink dries, or don’t want to acknowledge the dynamics or dysfunctionali- helps purpose-driven women build and live the life they want. To learn
ty of their family or don’t want to choose which child receives or more about Toni, please visit mooresavvy.com or connect with her on
SM @Mstonimoore.

28 | Jan Feb Mar 2018 28 | Jan  Feb  Mar 2018 L LIVING Day By Day •Net IVING Day By Day •Net