To pay Zakah on the wealth of minors

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Q: Allah willed that my cousin should die in a car accident on 17/6/1402 A.H. He left young children behind and the head of Al-Qunfudah Court made me their guardian. The children were paid their share of the Diyah (blood money) and they also received some money from the Pension Department, because their father used to be a teacher with the Ministry of Education. I have kept their Diyah and their father's pension for them, and I will keep this money for many years, until the children reach the age of consent. My question is: Should I take the obligatory Zakah out of this money every year or should I do it just once after I have had it for a year and then not pay Zakah on it for the remaining years? I need your advice to clear my conscience and know that I have protected the rights (Part No. 9; Page No. 414) of those young orphans as regards their Zakah.

A: Zakah should be paid upon the money you mentioned every year after you have had it for one lunar year, and if the share of each of the heirs reaches the Nisab (the minimum amount on which Zakah is due), either on its own or combined with any other wealth they own that is liable to Zakah, whether this is in the form of cash money or commercial commodities.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.