Guardianship

If you are the parent of a child with special needs, a learning disability, a behavioral disability, a physical disability or an emotional disability, you need to protect your legal right to make educational, medical, and financial decisions on your child’s behalf before they turn 18.

 You need to know that your right to make decisions on your child’s behalf will expire once they turn 18. In order to continue caring for your child’s needs, you should consider obtaining legal guardianship before your child becomes an adult in the eyes of the law. Individuals are allowed to receive services through school districts until they reach the age of 22 but, after age 18, a parent needs to have guardianship in order for them to continue making educational decisions for their child.