Takeaways A quarter of households in the United States include at least one family member with a disability. These families grapple with complex legal and financial issues. What will happen to the individual with a disability when
Takeaways The modern family is no longer defined by the nuclear model. Today, blended families — where one or both partners bring children from previous relationships — are increasingly common. So-called “nontraditional” families, including blended
Takeaways One in five children in the United States have special needs, per the Annie E. Casey Foundation. These include children with physical, developmental, and behavioral disabilities. Beyond day-to-day responsibilities such as taking a child to
This month, our Paralegal, Heather Geils, shares her experience as a Sibling. Siblings of individuals with disabilities are frequently involved in their brother’s or sister’s life longer than anyone else in their family. This involvement evolves
When a young adult approaches his or her 18th birthday, parents worry about how they can continue to support their child once adulthood becomes legally official. For the uninitiated, when teens turn 18, they can make
Mental illness affects one in five adults in the United States, the National Institute of Mental Health reports. The severity of mental illness varies. Serious mental illnesses are mental, behavioral, or emotional disorders that cause significant life
One in five families in the United States care for children with special needs. The United Disability Services Foundation identifies several barriers young adults with disabilities encounter when reaching adulthood. These include such difficulties as finding employment, seeking
Parents considering Guardianship often ask us whether it is appropriate for their special needs child, not always realizing there are many other options. We take that question as our cue to discuss “Decision Making Considerations”
As these last summer days wind down, our community of parents prepare for a new school year and implementation of a new IEP/ 504 Plan. We know that a new school year brings a new
The guardianship of an adult, in which a judge appoints an individual to make choices for a person over 18, is appropriate when the adult lacks capacity. Capacity is a general legal term that refers
