Estate Planning for Children
Protect your kids and your wishes—without court chaos
Click Here to Book Your Free Consultation Takes ~60 seconds • No obligation • Fast call back
Protect Your Children From Chaos
You’ve said you feel overwhelmed and don’t want to “leave a mess.” We hear that. Without a plan, a judge—not you—can decide who raises your kids, money can land in the wrong hands, and families can slip into costly courtroom nightmares. The stakes are high, but the fix is simple and kind.
Estate planning for children means:
- No guardian named: a judge decides who raises your children.
- Money handed at 18: a sudden lump sum can be spent fast.
- Family fights: unclear wishes spark conflict and stress.
- Lost accounts: no list, no access, long delays.
- Overwhelmed spouse: paperwork and court when they most need calm.
Gary DeWitt – Probate Almost Cost Us The Family Farm
When my father passed away, my family went through probate more than once. It was expensive, exhausting, and nearly forced us to sell the family farm.
That experience led me to build this firm so other families could avoid the same burden.
Today, we help Northwest Arkansas families create clear plans that protect what matters most.
Kid-First Planning, Calm Minds
Estate planning for children is a focused plan that names a chosen guardian, sets up a child trust (often a “pot trust” for siblings) for asset protection, and lines up backups so your kids stay cared for and your assets are managed with care. It works because it trades guesswork for clear, written instructions.
- Guardian decisions, locked in: we name first and backup guardians with clear guidance.
- Trust that grows with kids: a child trust (or pot trust) stages money for health, school, and launch years.
- Day-one safety net: caregiver cards and instructions so someone you choose can act fast.
- Teacher/doctor permission ready: simple consent documents for school and care.
- Probate avoided where possible: beneficiary updates and, if right, a living trust to keep life private and smooth.
- Everything in plain English: a tidy binder and secure digital copies for easy access.
A Simple Path to Peace of Mind
Listen & Clarify — We capture your worries and goals in plain English: kids, guardians, money, values.
Design & Review — We map documents to real life (school pickups, bedtime, tuition) and finalize choices.
Sign & Simplify — You sign, we organize, and you leave with a clear binder + digital copies and funding steps.
You’ll never be rushed; we explain every choice before you sign.
Quick Wins for Families
Guardian ladder: list a first choice and at least two backups. Your words guide the court and head off fights.
Siblings share, fairly: a pot trust lets one trustee use funds for all children, then split later as you direct.
Smart hand-offs: stage distributions (for example, school support now, small launch money at 21, more at 25–30) so kids learn, not burn.
Accounts aligned: your plan only works if titles and beneficiaries match it. We provide a checklist and help you update them.
Build a Strong Children’s Plan
Write a Will
A will is your voice on paper. In simple words, it tells the court who should care for your minor children and how to handle your property. For parents with young children, the will often points to a child trust created inside the document. That trust holds assets for the children’s benefit and keeps money safe until they are ready. A clear, signed will means fewer delays, fewer questions, and fewer chances for conflict.
Chosen Guardian
Your chosen guardian is the adult who will raise your kids if you cannot. Name a first choice and backups. Share short guidance about your values—school, faith, sports, health, and extended family. This isn’t legal fluff; it’s a gift to the person stepping in. When your wishes are clear, judges, relatives, and schools can move faster and smoother.
Estate Plan Basics
A child-safe estate plan uses a few key documents: a will with guardian nominations; a child trust (often a pot trust for multiple kids); and simple permissions for caregivers to handle school and medical needs. Add a living trust if you want to avoid probate and keep things private. Coordinate your assets—home, life insurance, retirement accounts—so they point to the trust, not straight to a minor.
Done right, this plan protects children inheritance and child inheritance from waste, debt, and pressure (asset protection). A trustee pays for health, schooling, and life needs, then releases funds in steps. The result is calm: your children stay in a stable home, their children guardianship is settled, and their estate is managed with care. You get what you asked for—less stress, fewer surprises, and real peace of mind.
Common Questions, Real Answers
It’s a focused plan that names guardians, creates a child trust to manage money, and lines up backups so your kids stay cared for and your assets are protected
A will names guardians, but minors can’t take money directly. A child trust (sometimes a pot trust for siblings) lets a trusted adult manage funds for health, school, and life until your kids are ready.
Pick the best caregiver as guardian. Pick the best money manager as trustee. Those can be the same person or different people. We help you weigh the trade-offs
We can design a special needs trust so your child keeps vital benefits and still receives support for quality of life. It fits into your overall plan
Review after big life changes—new baby, move, new job—or every two to three years. Small updates keep your documents fresh and your wishes clear
Ready to stop worrying and start protecting what matters?
Click Here to Book Your Free Consultation Takes ~60 seconds • No obligation • Fast call back
Get Estate Planning Help
Visit Our Estate Planning Office in Lowell, AR
125 Parkwood St, Suite A
Call (479) 717-6300
Easy to get to from:
- Bentonville
- Rogers
- Springdale
- Fayetteville
- Bella Vista
- Cave Springs
- Centerton