FINANCIAL/LEGAL:

This section of the website will focus on the legal dealings that need to be completed as the youth becomes 18 years of age.  Some of these things can be done just before the 18th birthday but others cannot be completed until the 18th birthday has occurred.  It is advisable that you obtain a lawyer to assist you with some of these proceedings.

Social Security (SSI):  www.ssa.gov/pgm/links_ssi.htm
            Once the youth turns 18, there is a face-to-face meeting with the Social Security caseworker that includes the youth and the parent/caregiver.  There is also a review of the records.  Contact the local Social Security Office 30 days before the 18th birthday to schedule this appointment.  The parents’ income will not be considered in determining the SSI amount after the youth turns 18.
            After the meeting, there will be a mailed questionnaire to determine the ability of the young adult to be independent.  This may be followed up by a phone call to clarify some questions.

Child Support:
            The divorce decree determines how the child support is handled but typically, child support ends at age 18 or when he/she graduates from school, whichever comes later.

Guardianship:
            General information about guardianship can be obtained at www.guardianship.org/pdf/developmentallydisabled.pdf.  There are different types of guardianship.  These are discussed in an excellent resources created by the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council (ODDC) at http://ddc.ohio.gov/pub/guardianship.pdf and the Ohio Legal Rights Service (OLRS) at www.olrs.ohio.gov/asp/olrs_faq_guardianship.asp.  We recommend starting the process approximately two months before the youth turns 18.  We also recommend obtaining a lawyer that specializes in doing guardianship to assist you with this process.  If you elect to complete the process on your own, the paperwork can be obtained from the Probate Court.
            Paperwork that will need to be completed includes a medical report from the youth’s physician.  If the parents are divorced, the non-custodial parent will have to sign a release form.
            Once the youth is 18 years old and the paperwork is completed, a hearing will be scheduled with the court.  There will be court fees associated with this process.
            Finally, once guardianship has been established, it needs to be renewed annually.  Typically, the attorney will send the guardian a medical report for the physician to complete.  The attorney will also assist with the other forms that need to be submitted to the Probate Court before the annual hearing is scheduled.

State ID: 
            A state picture ID can be obtained at the local license bureau.

Selective Service:  www.sss.gov/
            For young men ages 18 to 25, registration with the Selective Service System must be completed.  The forms are available at any post office.  There are a few exceptions to this and they are listed on the form.  For the medically handicapped young man, the only exception is to continually confined to a residence, hospital, or institution.  All others with a physical or mental disability who are able to function in public with or without assistance need to register.
            Once the completed form is received and processed, a letter will be sent back to the young man with a copy of his registration record.  The Selective Service needs to be informed of any address change.

Estate and Future Planning: http://ddc.ohio.gov/pub/estate_2005.pdf