Welcoming a baby into your family is no laughing matter. You’ll have to consider many things, including the room for the new family member, future expenses, future plans, and so much more. Parents get caught up in these things that they tend to forget that there are many other aspects they need to take care of when a baby arrives in a family. What’s worse is that those things are essential for the baby.
It might sound odd, but the truth is that there are a lot of legal matters involved once a child is born. Most parents overlook this part of childbirth, and we can’t blame them. It’s exciting bringing a human baby into this world. As parents, it will be your duty to incorporate them into this world, which means handling their legal documents.
According to the Washington Post, there are 14 important documents that you need to secure for your child. While not mandatory, these legal documents are going to guide your child into becoming a legitimate citizen of the country. As such, you need to manage these early on so that your child won’t have issues with documents in the future.
Why Staying On Top Of Legalities Is Important
A lot of people don’t have the drive to settle legal documents, but as parents, you are obligated to help set up your child after he or she arrives. If you don’t have the time to do so, the good news is that companies that organize your legal documents and even digitize them, so they are available for years to come. Managing these legalities early on is important as it helps set up the life of your baby. Unless you outsource the entire process, no one else is going to do this thorough process for your child other than you. However, it’s more than just about legitimizing your child’s identity.
The Important Documents
The first document you’ll need to secure is the easiest one to get, which is great. The birth certificate is proof of your child’s birth. This document includes essential information such as the name of the parents, the place of birth, the weight of the baby, and basically just about anything regarding the new family member.
Most hospitals will help you manage the birth certificate, so this shouldn’t be something you should worry about. Make sure to get this and make numerous copies of you. Once your baby grows up, your child will need this document for various purposes, such as securing government IDs, enrolling in school, and even getting a job.
Social Security Numbers weren’t gotten until you applied for a job back then. However, times are way different today. The Social Security Administration itself recommends getting your baby their own Social Security Number immediately. This will help you get them health insurance, among other things.
Your pediatrician will help set up what’s called an immunization record as well. This document details all of the vaccines and shots that your baby has been given. This document is vital as some shots aren’t supposed to be administered multiple times. These are some of the necessities you need to secure.
Next up, you’re going to want to consider some optional but highly recommended documents that will help secure your child’s health. These include life insurance packages, health cards, and more. As you can see, there are many documents that you’ll need to secure after your baby arrives. Just how can you manage to stay on top of these legalities?
How To Manage The Legalities
First and foremost, you’ll need to plan ahead. You know when your child is going to be born, so you have the time to prepare everything you need for the special day and the hectic ones that come after. For starters, you’ll need to ready your own legal documents. Some of the ones that you need to prepare ahead are your birth certificate, Social Security number, and insurance plan, if there are any. Most of your child’s legal documents will require you to present your as well, so make sure you come equipped with the papers.
Another thing you’ll need is money. Childbirth is an expensive process, but the fees don’t stop there. You’ll also have to pay for some of the documents and insurance plans too. The good news is that document organizing isn’t as expensive as childbirth. Last but not least – free up your schedule. You’ll need to have excellent time management skills if you want to finish all documents within a few days or so. You won’t have a lot of time to spend with your child during the days after their birth, but it will all be worth it eventually.
Most of the documents we’ve stated above are for the safety and security of your child. Giving your child health insurance is near impossible when he or she lacks the necessary documents. If the pandemic has taught us one thing, it is that we all need insurance. As such, it’s a must to have your child’s life, and health secured immediately.
Once your child grows up and becomes a fully-functioning adult, these documents will help them secure a career for themselves. It basically sets them up for success. Without the right documents, they might not be able to get loans, benefits, and other helpful assets.
It’s important to make sure that all of the details given for these documents are accurate. The process of revising legal documents takes a lot of time and effort. Way more than the time and effort it would take for you to set these up properly upon your child’s birth. It’s more practical to stay on top of these legalities immediately.
Last but most importantly, the documents are there to protect your child in the case that something bad happens to you. We can’t predict what happens tomorrow or the day after. Documents such as wills, guardianship, and others will ensure that your child stays protected and prepared in the worst-case scenarios, no matter how unlikely.
