Transition is “the process of changing from one state to another”, according to Webster’s dictionary. For families of children with special needs, it means the growth from being a legal “child” to a legal “adult” – or turning 18 years old – otherwise known as the “age of majority.” What happens after high school? How will my child prepare for living independently? Will my child be able to work, and if so, at what type of job? How will he fill his days? And, what will happen after I pass away?
Parents never stop worrying that they may have missed a critical deadline or opportunity for their child in the complicated world of special needs planning. To help parents resolve their worries about the path to adulthood, we offer Transition Planning Services that cover far more than the school’s educational transition plan. A true, all-encompassing Transition Plan sets out you and your child’s goals for life as an adult not only in school, but vocational planning, government benefits, guardianship and special needs trust planning. Each component of our Transition Plan require careful, expert planning within important deadlines. Our team of experts includes Special Needs Trust and Education/IEP Attorneys, Guardianship/Family Law Attorney, Paralegals and a Benefits Specialist.
During our Transitional Planning process, our legal team will guide you through the following components:
- Education, Vocational and Community Programming: We will review your child’s current IEP/ Transition Plan for several key components to ensure that the school’s Transition Plan complies with legal standards. We will also evaluate existing school team and identify additional school personnel, gateway, agency or
private staff where necessary to accomplish child’s goals. We will also help you identify and put into action the child and family’s goals for adult life and work/day program pursuits. - Government Benefits, Support and Programs: Our team will help you understand the various benefits available, their importance and value, and how to secure them.
- Legal Planning: We will explain the differences between Powers of Attorney and Guardianship, and help you decide which is best for your child. We will also review Special Needs Legal Planning, how Special Needs Trusts and ABLE accounts work, and how these strategies coordinate with Parents’ Estate Planning. Most importantly, we will cut through the legalese and help you understand practically how these tools will provide value to your child.
We can help you in this process wherever you are today. Some parents are concerned that they are beginning to plan “too late”. It is never too late to create a Transition Plan! We will walk this path alongside you, rest assured, we will prioritize the issues that you must consider and help you achieve your planning goals.
Please contact us to set up or review your Transition Plan.