Establishing guardianship for your adult child in an emergency can be stressful and costly. When possible, it is better to do this proactively and avoid the challenges of an emergency guardianship.
At McMorrow Law, we help families with special needs children or incapacitated adults plan for the future. Our lawyer has extensive experience with Pennsylvania guardianships and other estate planning needs. Please speak with a Pittsburgh special needs guardianship attorney to learn more.
Plan Ahead So You Can Make Decisions for Your Adult Child
When special needs children turn 18, they are considered adults, and their parents may need a guardianship to make decisions on their behalf. In these cases, you cannot set up powers of attorney because the child lacks the capacity to understand the documents. Parents or loved ones will need to establish a guardianship instead.
As legal guardians of their adult child, parents can make decisions involving issues such as:
- Health care
- Finances
- Legal matters
In addition, under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), parents need to be legal guardians to discuss their adult child’s medical information with doctors.
Our attorneys can establish a guardianship for your adult child with special needs. It is advisable to begin this process before your child turns 18 so you will be prepared in the event of an illness, accident, or other emergency.
Our attorneys can also serve in a temporary, limited guardianship capacity to transfer funds on behalf of a minor who is a beneficiary. We receive the funds, open the account, and deposit the money on the minor’s behalf.
Have Questions? We Can Help
To schedule an appointment, please call 724-940-0100 or contact us online for an initial consultation.