
Most parents of children with special needs want their child to be as independent as possible. As their child gets older and reaches the age of majority, usually 18 years old, they may not be ready to accept all the responsibilities of an adult. I encourage parents to consider what vulnerabilities their child may have if they do not have a power of attorney, health care documents or a guardianship (either limited or full, depending on the circumstances) in place. If the child is vulnerable to being taken advantage of financially, a power of attorney or a conservatorship might be appropriate.