When children with intellectual and developmental disabilities become adults, unique challenges can present themselves.
If the adult with a disability is mentally competent as a matter of law, he or she may be able to sign powers of attorney that name family and friends as agents. If the adult is not legally competent mentally to sign powers of attorney, parents or other members of the family should undertake a formal guardianship proceeding.
Many people have children with special needs such as Down syndrome, developmental disabilities and even autism at the more extreme ends of that spectrum.
As minors, our children with special needs can be legally cared for very similarly to the way we care for minors without special needs. However, when our offspring with special needs become adults, there are unique challenges that implicate special responsibilities on our parts.
Read more about caring for adult children with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Lee’s article in the Lima News here: Legal-Ease: Caring for adult children with special needs
Source: LimaOhio.com, “Legal-Ease: Caring for adult children with special needs,” by Lee R. Schroeder, February 16, 2019
Lee R. Schroeder is an Ohio licensed attorney at Schroeder Law LLC in Putnam County. He limits his practice to business, real estate, estate planning and agriculture issues in northwest Ohio. He can be reached at Lee@LeeSchroeder.com or at 419-659-2058. This article is not intended to serve as legal advice, and specific advice should be sought from the licensed attorney of your choice based upon the specific facts and circumstances that you face.