Legal Support for Young Adults with Special Needs in NYC, Long Island, and Beyond

When a child with disabilities approaches adulthood, the legal landscape changes in ways most families may not be prepared for.

At 18 years of age, your child is legally an adult under New York law — regardless of their ability to make informed decisions about their own health, finances, or daily life.

The protections and decision-making authority you have held as a parent do not automatically continue. For families of children with significant cognitive, developmental, or intellectual disabilities, this chronological transition to adulthood requires legal planning that many families do not start early enough.

The Law Offices of Susan J. Deedy & Associates handles guardianship proceedings for families throughout Long Island and New York, helping parents design the appropriate legal structures in place before that transition arrives — and protecting their child's access to benefits and services.

What Are Guardianship Proceedings

Guardianship is a legal process through which a court grants a parent or other trusted adult the authority to make decisions on behalf of an individual who cannot make those decisions independently. For parents of children with significant disabilities, obtaining guardianship before their child turns 18 years of age is often one of the most important legal steps that should be taken.

Without legal guardianship, a parent of an 18-year-old does not have an automatic right to access medical records, make healthcare decisions, communicate with schools or agencies on their child's behalf, or manage financial matters. Even parents who have been intrinsically involved in every aspect of their child's care throughout their childhood and adolescence can find themselves legally unable to continue that level of involvement once their child reaches adulthood.

New York State offers different forms of guardianship proceedings depending on the nature and extent of the individual's needs. Article 17-A of the Surrogate's Court Procedure Act applies specifically to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and is a common pathway for families aging out of the special education system. Article 81 of the Mental Hygiene Law also provides a guardianship framework for adults who have lost the capacity to manage their own affairs.

Why Work With The Law Offices of Susan J. Deedy & Associates

For many of the families the firm works with, the need for guardianship arises naturally out of years of special education advocacy work. Susan J. Deedy has spent decades representing parents in every aspect of their child's educational journey, and she and her team understand how that journey evolves as children with disabilities grow older. The transition from receiving school-age services to adulthood services involves legal, financial, and practical dimensions.

When to Start Planning

The transition to adulthood does not happen overnight, but preparations should start well before your child turns 18.

If your child is approaching adulthood or you have questions about guardianship in New York, contact the Law Offices of Susan J. Deedy & Associates today at (516) 221-8133 or reach out through our online contact form to schedule a consultation. We serve families throughout Long Island, including Nassau County and Suffolk County, as well as NYC and surrounding areas.