THE GUARDIAN ADVOCATE
When children with developmental disabilities reach age 18, they become “adults” in the eyes of the law. Parents no longer may legally make financial and health care decisions for their adult children. If the developmental disability is severe enough to prevent the adult child from caring for him or herself, the parents must apply to become their child’s legal guardian in order to continue making important decisions for their developmentally disabled child – such as consenting to medical, dental, and surgical procedures; managing money or property; applying for governmental benefits and entitlements; and deciding on residential choices.
Fortunately, Chapter 393 of the Florida Statutes is specifically designed to meet the unique needs of persons with developmental disabilities. The person who would be appointed to care for an adult with developmental disabilities is called a “guardian advocate.” Even though the term is different from the term “guardian” as used in Chapter 744 of the Florida Statutes, the authority given by the court to each is the same. However, Chapter 393 is less restrictive, less costly and much preferred in order to care for persons with developmental disabilities.
Because of the streamlined process, guardian advocacy proceedings are consuming less court time and thereby reducing attorney’s fees. For example, there is no need to pay for an examining committee of three professionals, as is required in Chapter 744. The statute does not require a separate hearing to determine incapacity and there is no adjudication of incapacity. Existing professional evaluations and plans identifying needs may be used to identify rights which the developmentally disabled individual cannot handle. The judge will review the reports, evaluations and support plans and then appoint a guardian advocate to perform only those functions that the person is unable to perform. All of those rights that the developmentally disabled person cannot manage will be given to the guardian advocate to handle.
We are fortunate to have this streamlined guardian advocate procedure available in Florida. Parents with developmentally disabled children should be aware of this statute and plan ahead for when a child with developmental disability reaches 18 and becomes an “adult.” Cramer Law Center has helped many persons through the guardian advocate process and is available to help others through the process.
Hello,Is there a florida statue where it says my 18 year old autistic son cannot collect social security benifits without me being a guardian advocate or get him medically treated???Thank you, Tom Rohrer
Thanks for your question. When a developmentally disabled person turns 18, they become an adult in the eyes of the law. Parents no longer have the legal authority to make medical or financial decisions for their adult child as they did when the child was a minor. So many people don’t realize this fact until they are turned down by a medical provider when requesting information or have an encounter with Social Security. The easiest and least expensive way to obtain the authority to make medical and financial decisions for an adult developmentally disabled person is to become their Guardian Advocate. We help guide clients through this process.
Mr Cramer,My ex has become a co guardian advocate.My ex inlaws have told me she has intentions to leave the state with my son.Is this allowed without my permission?? If not,what form do I need to stop it??Thanks Tom Rohrer
MY SON HAS DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY (DONT TALK, DONT WRITE, AUTISIM,MENTAL RETARDATION)
QUESTION
IS GUARDIN AVOCATE RIGHT FOR HIM ?
WHICH ONE IS RIGHT FOR HIM 744 OR 393 ?
THANKS
L.C.