Renee Good’s Tragedy—and the Legal Questions That Follow: Why Planning for Children and Money Matters Before Crisis Hits

On January 7, 2026, Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother, was fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent during a federal operation in south Minneapolis. The incident — captured on video and rapidly shared online — sparked outrage, grief, and political debate across the country. (The Guardian)

Renee, described by loved ones as “pure love” and “pure sunshine,” was with her wife Becca when the shooting occurred. In the moments before, she had dropped off her 6-year-old son at school, a child who had already endured the loss of his biological father in 2023, and was seated in the car with Renee and Becca when the fatal shots were fired. (FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul)

Within days, a GoFundMe campaign launched by friends — Mattie Weiss and Becka Tilsen — had raised over $1.5 million to support “the widow and family of Renee Good”, far exceeding its original $50,000 goal. The organizers stated the funds would be “placed in a trust for the family.” (GFM Campaign)

This outpouring of support has underscored both the depth of public sympathy and an often-overlooked reality: when sudden tragedy and significant money intersect without clear legal planning, even the most loving families can face avoidable uncertainty around custody, governance of funds, and long-term security for children.

A Child With No Parents — in Law, and in the Public Eye

Renee’s 6-year-old son seems to be safely in the care of Renee’s partner, Becca — the only person he may know as his surviving parent and seemingly his guardian in every sense shared publicly so far. Becca’s heartfelt messages emphasize a commitment to teaching him kindness and hope, honoring Renee’s values. (Yahoo) However, practical reality and legal reality do not always match. Public articles and explainers do not state that Rebecca is on the child’s birth certificate, has completed an adoption, or holds other formal legal parent status; they simply describe her as Renee’s wife and the child’s caregiver going forward.

Yet in the aftermath of the tragedy, the child’s biological grandfather, Timmy Ray Macklin Sr. (whose son, Timmy Ray Macklin Jr., was the father of Good’s 6 year-old, and himself died in 2023 at just 36 years old) has publicly expressed his desire to be involved — stating that he would “do whatever it takes to care for my grandchild.”

As reported, he told local outlets that “there’s nobody else in his life, “I’ll drive. I’ll fly. To come and get my grandchild” suggesting his willingness to challenge for custody if necessary. (MN Star Tribune)

There’s no public record yet of formal custody proceedings or court rulings regarding this matter. But the situation illustrates an uncomfortable truth many families don’t consider until they’re in it: even when a child is being lovingly raised by a stepparent or non-biological parent, courts will look to what’s legally on file — not just what’s socially or emotionally true — unless clear instructions are documented.

When Money and Guardianship Overlap

It’s crucial to understand that money can unintentionally create additional stakes. The GoFundMe for the Goods was overwhelmingly successful, with tens of thousands of donors contributing to what quickly became more than $1.5 million in support. (GoFundMe)

Organizers say the money will be placed in trust — a common step for high-profile campaigns. And, as that happens, there’s real risk of legal disputes arising around the use of funds, as we’ve seen expensive and protected legal battles occur in cases like this.

From a legal perspective:

●       A trust — once formed — defines who controls and distributes funds for specific

purposes (e.g., education, health, day-to-day support for a child).

●       Guardianship and custody are separate legal questions determined by a probate court,

and legally focused on “best interests of the child”, which can be extremely unclear in

situations such as this where it could be left up to a judge to decide what happens.

●       Without advance planning, money intended for a child’s well-being could be

misinterpreted as enhancing someone’s claim to guardianship, especially if a third party

expresses interest.

This doesn’t mean such conflicts must happen. But without clear legal directives, the risk of confusion — or even a custody dispute — rises.

What Thoughtful Planning Typically Includes

No one knows all the private legal planning Renee and her family may have already completed. It’s entirely possible she had counsel and thoughtful legal documents prepared and signed. But it’s also possible that she only had conversations, and didn’t formalize those conversations in legally binding documents. And that gap is exactly where problems can emerge.

Legal and family law experts emphasize the kinds of protections that help prevent uncertainty:

1. Legally Named Guardianship Instructions, Including a Kids Protection Plan®

Rather than leaving guardianship “to be decided,” a formal Kids Protection Plan would designate one or more long-term guardians, with alternates, as well as immediate, short-term guardians, to serve with legal documentation in hand until the court can formalize permanent guardianship. This combination provides judges with specific instructions rather than broad interpretation. In addition, a Kids Protection Plan would include documentation of anyone a parent would never want raising their child. So, for example, if Renee did not want her son’s grandfather to seek custody, she could have indicated not just that she wanted Becca to be the long-term guardian, but also why she would not have wanted his grandfather to have custody. Such documentation would be extremely useful in a custody battle.

2. Trusts That Separate Money From Custody

Proper planning uses tools like:

●       Children’s trusts

●       Spendthrift provisions

●       Independent trustees

Each ensures that a child’s financial support is legally protected and distributed as intended — not bundled into custody decisions or subject to misinterpretation.

3. Consistent Legal Documentation

The difference between a verbal plan and a documented one is enforced by law. Judges generally respect written directives over assumptions, and assets held in trust are distributed under clear legal rules instead of default inheritance laws.

So What Can Be Learned from This Moment?

Renee’s death is a profound tragedy — one that extends far beyond policy debates and headline politics. It has affected three children, including a son who has now lost both biological parents, and a partner thrust suddenly into sole caregiving with the weight of public attention on their family.

While the generosity of tens of thousands of donors reflects incredible solidarity, it also highlights a gap many families underestimate: without proactive planning, good intentions — and even great intentions expressed publicly — can leave too much to interpretation when something unthinkable happens.

This is not about assigning blame. It’s about acknowledging that even in loving, thoughtful families, legal clarity protects what matters most — a child’s stability, emotional safety, and financial security.

If there is one takeaway from the overwhelming support for Renee’s family, it’s also this:

Love is not the same as a legal plan — and planning is one of the most compassionate acts a parent can make for the people they leave behind.

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This article is a service of the Law Offices of Debra L. Koven, a Personal Family LawyerⓇ Firm. We don’t just draft documents; we ensure you make informed and empowered decisions about life and death, for yourself and the people you love. That's why we offer a Life & Legacy PlanningⓇ Session, during which you will get more financially organized than you’ve ever been before and make all the best choices for the people you love. You can begin by calling our office today to schedule a Life & Legacy Planning Session.

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