Having a new baby is both an exciting and stressful time. If this is the first new member of your family, there will be many things that you are unprepared for. This is the time when you value your parents’ advice, and all the other relatives out there who want to help. You have to get your home ready for a new baby coming; there are so many different things that you have to buy, like clothing and safety gear, and then there are the many legal matters that need your consideration as soon as possible.
One of the first things that you need is a birth injury medical malpractice lawyer in Chula Vista, not because such an individual will be needed, but it’s important to have them at your back, nonetheless. There are many legal matters that need your attention here in the United States, and the following are just some of them.
- Legal documents for the hospital – As the expectant mother, you will be asked to sign legal documents that will allow doctors to talk about your upcoming birth of your baby to your family members. Nothing will go wrong, but it pays to be careful anyway, so make sure the documents are signed, in order that someone can make a medical decision on your behalf. It would be best if you got your own lawyer to draw up such documents, rather than relying on the ones that the hospital will ask you to sign.
- Think about legal guardianship – This might seem terribly pessimistic, but it is a reality of life that you don’t know what is going to happen next week, next year, or five years from now. You do not want the American courts making the decision about guardianship after you’re gone, and this is why it makes sense that you would draw up the legal paperwork today. You need to have an estate plan in place, naming individuals who will act as legal guardians to your child.
- Get yourself some life insurance – You probably have insurance in place to protect you, in the event that you can’t work and you can’t pay your mortgage. Taking out life insurance guarantees that your kid will receive a lump sum payment in the event that you check out of this world earlier than you thought. This is an incredibly responsible thing to do for any new parents, and you’re doing what you can to meet the financial needs of your child in the future. This will help to reduce your stress and anxiety levels, as your new life with your baby begins.
If you don’t have a will or trust in place, today’s the day when you talk to a legal professional about putting either of these into practice. Until your new baby becomes 18 years old and is regarded as a mature adult, it’s up to you to make plans for their future today.
