Guardianship Resources
Guardianship officially begins when a young adult turns 18. At that moment, they are legally considered an adult, and parents no longer have automatic rights to make educational, medical, or service-related decisions on their behalf—unless guardianship or another legal arrangement is already in place.
Because guardianship is not automatic, families need to prepare before the child turns 18. The process can take several months and includes paperwork, evaluations, and court review. Most families begin planning around age 16–17 so that:
- The necessary assessments are updated
- Medical providers have time to complete forms
- The family can explore alternatives to guardianship
- Court petitions can be filed early enough to avoid gaps in decision-making once the student becomes an adult
Starting early helps ensure that decision-making support is in place on or before the student’s 18th birthday, so there is no lapse in the family’s ability to access records, consent to services, or make essential decisions.
LEARN MORE:
- Mass.gov Learn how to get help with filing for guardianship
- https://www.mass.gov/info-details/learn-how-to-get-help-with-filing-for-guardianship
For more information about the guardianship process contact:
