Are provisions for the care and guardianship of minor children usually provided for in a will?

Often they are, but a court is not bound by these provisions and might overrule them if there was a specific reason to do so or a justifiable challenge to the guardianship was offered by another family member or interested party.

It is also possible that a different guardian would be appointed if a designated guardian was deemed to be incompetent to adequately serve in such a role or is judged to be an otherwise inappropriate choice, based on moral or other character issues.

In all such Contested Guardianship cases, the decision of the judge will determine the final guardianship, but the wishes of the person making the will always be given first consideration.

It is important to add this provision to a will since it is possibly the only way your wishes in these matters would ever become known.