Southern California Family Law Attorney Alexis Martin Neely is taking action to help parents protect their kids concerning guardianship.
"What would you do if you were in an accident? Who would take care of your kids?"
These are important questions that Martin Neely raises as she helps parents be prepared.
"Seventy-four percent of parents have never named guardians for their kids. Of the twenty-six percent who have named guardians, most have made common mistakes that leave their kids at risk," Martin Neely said.
"I realized a few years ago that if something happened to me, the one person I didn't want to care for my kids would get my kids."
"The truth is if something happens to you and the kids are home with a babysitter and there's no documentation, child care protective services will come in and take the child. Then, the court will decide."
Martin Neely helped her own kids, then her clients, and now she plans to help everyone else. She's creating a website at
www.KidsProtectionPlan.com that will provide free paperwork for parents to designate guardianship for their children.
"When you think of your child or your children, you think of who would you want to raise them should something happen? What kind of values, family values, and financial values do you want that person to have in raising your child? These are issues you have to consider," Martin Neely explained.
"These are important things to consider as soon as you have children."
Martin Neely has taken her vision so far, she has trained nearly three dozen Personal Family Lawyers in the United States to help parents who have young children.
"We also have Personal Family Lawyers in the Valley who can help parents make informed decisions."
Martin Neely is a parent to two young children and she believes in helping families so much, that she founded the Family Wealth Planning Institute to teach parents and grandparents how to prepare their children for their financial future.
"I didn't even have a plan until three years ago, because it didn't exist," Martin Neely said.
"I want to help parents. So, I'm creating the website and writing a book. There are trained lawyers to help you or you can prepare yourself and your children for every possibility."