Parents of special needs children often worry and wonder what will become of their children once they are no longer able to care for them. Preparing a memorandum of intent for your disabled child will enhance your child’s quality of life if something happens to you.
The goal of a memorandum of intent is to provide important information about your disabled child to future caretakers. I encourage you to prepare a memorandum of intent if you have a disabled child of any age who may require assistance to maintain his/her quality of life in the future. The following are examples of information included in such a document:
• Your child’s personality characteristics, likes and dislikes
• Your child’s medical history, list of medications, and allergies
• Your hopes and expectations for your child
• Individuals and organizations providing support and/or services to your child
Individuals with cognitive disabilities or psychological impairments may be unable to communicate all their needs to future care providers. A memorandum of intent allows you to share your knowledge and insight regarding your child on various topics.
A memorandum of intent should be revisited annually to include the most up-to-date information regarding your child. Updating the letter on your child’s birthday can be a good way to help you remember that it is time to update your plan.
A memorandum of intent is not a binding legal document. You do not need a special form to prepare a memorandum of intent. It is usually prepared as part of a larger special needs planning process. You should provide family members, the trustee of your child’s special needs trust, and any other individuals who may be involved in your child’s life with a copy of the memorandum of intent.
Once you have prepared a memorandum of intent for your special needs child, you will have peace of mind knowing that you have documented important information regarding the needs of your child.
For more information please contact Lisa S. Golshani, Attorney at Law, 27240 Turnberry Lane, Suite 200 in Valencia, at 661-362-0770.