Who Can Step In for Your Kids If You’re Suddenly Incapacitated?

Life in Ocean County moves fast, and parents are juggling more than ever. But there’s one question most families never pause to consider:

Q: If I’m in an accident or suddenly unable to speak, who can legally take care of my children?
A: Not who you think.

Here in New Jersey, no one automatically has legal authority — not grandparents, siblings, godparents, or even your best friend who “would obviously take them.”

Without written paperwork:

• Your children cannot be released to anyone without court involvement.
• Your bank accounts are frozen, so no one can use your money to care for them.
• Medical decisions for your children are delayed until the court names someone temporary.
• Your family may face confusion, stress, and unexpected legal barriers on top of an already overwhelming situation.

For most families, this is the part that surprises them the most:
Love alone doesn’t create legal authority. Paperwork does.

Creating a plan doesn’t take long — but it makes all the difference between chaos and clarity.

If you’re a parent in Southern Ocean County and you haven’t named legal guardians or decision-makers yet, today is a good day to start the conversation.

If you have a question you’d like answered in a future Community Corner, feel free to send it along.

— Eldonie S. Mason, Esq., Barnegat Resident & Local Attorney Helping Families Protect What Matters Most

Attorney Advertising. For Educational Purposes Only. Not Legal Advice.