Your children could be placed into the care of the Department of Child Services (yes, even if you have a will in place and even if you have a living trust) and, yes, it would likely only be temporary, but trust us, you never want your children in the arms of strangers. Not even for a minute.

Your children could be put into the custody and care of someone you would never want, like that one family member who has good intentions, but you would never want to raise your kids.

A judge who does not know you, or your family, will decide who will raise your kids, even if it is the last person you would ever want.

Your family could get into a long, drawn out custody fight or there could be a challenge to the guardians you have designated.

If you are a parent of minor children who are counting on you, your ESTATE plan must begin with ensuring your children would always be taken care of by the people you want, in the way you want, no matter what happens.