What Happens to My Child if I Pass Away After Divorce?

If you don't make plans for your death, as a single parent, you may concerned about what happens to your kids after your death. Without a will, the court may decide who raises and cares for your children without your input.

Divorce.com offers affordable online divorce solutions for your needs

Trustpilot star rating bar
Man in blue shirt reviewing a paper at a laptop

Contents

Updated on: August 19, 2024
Read time: 5 min

If you pass away and you're divorced, a will protects your children and your wishes. Without one, the court may decide who raises and cares for your kids in the event of your untimely death. If you don't create an estate planning document, you have less control, as your loved ones might not get be as protected or receive what you want them to have.

 

Little girl with long, brown hair sitting on a couch looking at a blonde woman

A Last Will & Testament

A will is a written, legal document that outlines your desires for the distribution of your property and the care of your minor children upon your death. These documents are often called a “last will and testament." After your death, the court carries out your final wishes.

Establishing one is relatively simple, as there aren't many legal requirements. To create one, you should understand what property you have and to whom you'd like to leave it. In other words, you need to have the capacity to distribute your property. This is also referred to as being “of sound mind."

Further, you need to create a written document outlining your final wishes. If your children are under the age of 18, you can also designate a guardian for them. Finally, you must sign your will and have two witnesses sign the legal instrument as well. If you have a significant amount of assets, you may want to talk to an experienced estate planning attorney.

Dying Intestate

When you don't have a will, which is also referred to as dying intestate, the court may decide who cares for your children after your death. Typically, if the other biological parent outlives you, then they retain custody of the child. In this situation, it won't award guardianship to anyone else. It will only award guardianship if the second biological parent dies.

Further, the judge considers the surviving parent's relationship with your kids. For example, if they have a history of alcohol or drug abuse, then the judge may deny the parent to have custody. Additionally, if you remarried after your divorce, and your new spouse adopted your children, then that person would retain custody of them after your death.

However, you can impact the court's decision if you have a will. For example, if you designate someone other than the biological parent as the guardian of your child upon your death, it considers your last wishes. Although it won't automatically enforce your preferences, it considers your final requests in deciding who has custody of your children.

Distribution of Property When You Die

In the absence of a will, state law directs the distribution of property through the oversight of a probate court after your death. Some states pass all assets to a current spouse, regardless of the existence of children, while others split assets between the spouse and children. If the deceased is unmarried, the state might split the property between the children and living parents or siblings. The result depends entirely on the state and the family situation.

If you no longer have (or never had) parental rights over a child, or if you have a stepchild, they cannot receive your wealth through intestacy. If you have a will, you are free to bequeath wealth to that child.

Property That Automatically Passes to Your Beneficiaries

You probably own assets that will pass to those you designate regardless of whether you have a will. Property that bypasses probate and goes directly to your designated beneficiaries includes any wealth you put into a living trust.

Real estate owned jointly with rights of survivorship is a common form of property that passes directly to your survivor and does not go through probate. You might hold life insurance, retirement accounts, stock portfolios, or other financial accounts with designated beneficiaries. These all pass to the beneficiaries you name without going through probate.

Guardianship of a Child

If you are divorced from your children's biological parent, then your former spouse will receive custody of the children in the event of your passing. A biological parent has the right to custody of the children prior to anyone else's claim, so the probate court is likely to place children with their other biological parent. But if you were your children's sole living biological parent when you died, or if their other parent is missing or unfit, the court must name a guardian for your underage children. Perhaps your children have a willing stepparent the court can appoint to the role.

Not every state automatically places a child with a relative if there is no biological parent. Family law places its priority on the child's best interest. Should the court determine that the children's grandparents are not in the best position to care for your children, it might award custody to a non-relative. Some states give weight to the request of the children, especially if they are teenagers.

In some cases, the other biological parent steps forward to take custody, but another relative or a responsible friend can petition the court to overrule the surviving parent's rights in order to avert the placement of your children with an unfit parent. A battle between these parties might ensue.

The likelihood of sparing your children from this stressful situation increases significantly if you designate the guardian of your choice—such as that concerned relative or responsible friend—in a valid will.

Child's Preference

Your kids may share their preference with the judge in deciding custody. Each state has different rules regarding how old a child should be to express their choices, but typically the age is twelve or thirteen. If your kids are old enough to express their preference, the court considers their choice.

If you're divorced, you may want to execute a will to ensure that your wishes for your kids are heard after your death. Being divorced with children is hard enough. Taking the time to prepare for your untimely death could lessen your anxiety and protect your children.

 

Divorce.com offers affordable online divorce solutions for your needsExplore Options
Twitter logoFacebook logoLinkedIn logoReddit logo

This article is for informational purposes. This content is not legal advice, it is the expression of the author and has not been evaluated by LegalZoom for accuracy or changes in the law.

70 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

legal zoom is the way to go

The representative was very knowledgeable about how long it takes to transfer a deed from one person to the next he explained everything and he was very pleasant when speaking to him

Ross
70 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

I find that LegalZoom has all the…

I find that LegalZoom has all the answers if you're starting a business an LLC and incorporation or you're doing a trust or a Will. These are the people you want to trust don't go to an expensive attorney you're just throwing your money away. Legal soon gets five stars!

Sean Christopher
70 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

I spoke to the representative today about a Trust...

I spoke to the representative today regarding a question about an existing Living Trust. She was very helpful - told me exactly what I needed to know and how to accomplish it. As a representative in the Financial field I guide clients all the time on where to get documents done right - and its always LegalZoom - easy and effecient!

Gareth
79 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

We could not be more Pleased with the…

We could not be more Pleased with the help and service we had during the up dating of our Living Will and Advanced Directive

Richard Poulton
82 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

Legal Assistance for the rest of us

Legal Zoom has made it easy and affordable for us to create an LLC, a Will, and a Trust for our families.

K Chapman
85 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

pleasant and willing representatives…

pleasant and willing representatives ready to help me navigate through your system and supply attorney contact information for my legal questions for my last will & testament

Mark Impink
85 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

LegalZoom .com has exceptional, real, staff to help. I met one!

I purchased multiple accounts to update both our Living Wills and Estate Plans. After utilizing LegalZoom.com’s user-friendly and intuitive platform for these legal documents, I found it necessary to call for clarification on some information within our account. I spoke with Sandra Balderas, who expertly addressed the mistakes I had inadvertently made. Her professionalism and friendliness greatly enhanced the experience. I realized that LegalZoom is not only a straightforward website to navigate for such complex matters, but it also boasts exceptional employees. Thank you, LegalZoom.com, and especially Sandra Balderas, for guiding me through the process. I’m thrilled to have discovered LegalZoom.com.

Max -Phoenix, Arizona
85 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

Sarah was most helpful today regarding updating my estate plan

Sarah was most helpful today regarding updating my LZ docs created 3 years ago. She made sure I had all the information I needed, not just what I asked for. Thank you Sarah!

Diane Floyd
91 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

Quick and easy experience creating a…

Quick and easy experience creating a will package.

Kristin Steel
96 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

Used them past 10 years

Used them past 10 years. I needed another will and power of attorney.

MERLYN C
96 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

Tammy was wonderful and very…

Tammy was wonderful and very knowledgeable. It's because of her that I am going to open a living trust with legal zoom. She was great. Thank You

Erin
104 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

Pleasant Experience

Patience and weel given explanation about the process of how a "Living Trust" & "Deed" works after transitioning and guidance on how to contact an attorney whenever I need legal advice.

Sharron Martin
106 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

It was a breeze to deal with Legalzoom…

It was a breeze to deal with Legalzoom and finished my estate plan within an hour!! Thanks again

BT
110 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

Great team…

Mark and Legal Zoom make estate planning affordable and attainable.

Christopher Maginnis
142 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

Living Will & Forming my LLC

I have used Lega Zoom for several items, including my living will and items to form my LLC for my business. It's fast, easy, and thorough. The customer service is fantastic! I am working with David on a few items for my will,l and he has been a delight. He follows up when he says he will and is incredibly helpful. I highly recommend this company.

Kristen J
154 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

Nadia made it very easy for me to make…

Nadia made it very easy for me to make a decision to sign up and create my estate planning documents with legalsoom. She was very professional and knowledgeable about the package that I chose. She also offered her direct contact for any future questions I might have.

Melita D'Anna
163 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

Kylie helped me to review my history of…

Kylie helped me to review my history of trying to complete my estate plan and contacting a legal advisor that comes with my account. She was patient, knowledgable, and helpful.

Paula
167 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

I have worked with Mark Champ on… Last Will & Testament, Living Will, Quit Claim Deed

I have worked with Mark Champ on several documents I needed and every time he has provided me with every thing I needed and with so much graciousness and knowledge. It has always been such a pleasure working with Mark!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cathy Donaldson
202 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

Most Dedicated Representative!

Patti Green was the most informative person in guiding me through the process of completing my estate plan . She was always there for me to answer my questions and give excellent advice . Also , she was very polite and considerate ! Legal Zoom is so fortunate to have Patti on their team . Thank you , Patti for all of your assistance and kindness !

Priscilla Page
280 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

Patti Green is GREAT!

Ms. Patti Green walked me through the Estate Planning process. She was very professional, patient and kind. Planning for when you are no longer here is very intricate and difficult. Working with Ms. Green helped give the assurance that I am doing the right thing for myself and loved ones.

TRINESSA
Rated4.6out of 5 based on23,899+ reviewson

Showing our favorite reviews