When your child reaches age 18 (age of majority in the state of CT), or is declared an emancipated minor, all rights under special education law will transfer to your child unless a court has appointed a legal guardian for your child. Once these rights have been transferred, you will still receive all required procedural notices, but your child may grant or withhold consent as appropriate.
A conservator is a person appointed by the Probate Court to oversee the financial or personal affairs of an adult. In an involuntary conservatorship, a conservator is appointed only if the court determines that the individual is unable to care for him or herself, or unable to manage his or her financial affairs. In a voluntary conservatorship, the court appoints a conservator on the request of an adult who seeks assistance in managing his or her affairs, without making a finding that the individual is incapable.
The Probate Courts become involved in the lives of adults with intellectual disability when they are unable to care for their physical health or safety or make decisions about such care. In such cases, the courts appoint a guardian to supervise all or some aspects of the person’s care.
The court appoints a plenary guardian for someone who requires full supervision of matters involving health and safety. The court appoints a limited guardian for someone who can do some, but not all, of the tasks needed to maintain health and safety.
The guardian decides what programs and services the person needs. The court may give the guardian the authority to move the person to another residence; enroll him or her in educational, vocational or behavioral programs; release his or her medical records; and seek medical and dental care for the person.
