Page 29 - Southern Exposure - December '21

Southern Exposure, Page 29

arTs & enTerTainmenT from page 28 in Palm Beach and 21 other counties within Florida.
Hanley Foundation is dedicated to working alongside elder esTaTe Planning
All finalists will have their works of art on display community partners to promote healthy lifestyles and
throughout ArtiGras in the Youth Art Gallery located to positively influence attitudes, norms, and values by
in the ArtiKids Zone. empowering individuals and families while helping
Students can submit their artwork through their supply need-based treatment scholarships to individuals Will Your Child
school’s art teacher up until the deadline on Thursday, with demonstrated needs in Palm Beach County.
Dec. 16. Students and teachers can email info@artigras. About Palm Beach North Chamber Of Commerce
org, call (561) 746-7111 or visit www.artigras.org for The Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce is one Need A Guardian
more information. of the largest and most active business organizations
ArtiGras, which is scheduled for Feb. 19 to 20, 2022, in Southeast Florida. Serving businesses in the 10
has been listed as a Top 10 festival in the country and municipalities that make up Palm Beach North, the Advocate?
features more than 300 artists from across the country. chamber fosters a partnership of private, public,
Over the past 10 years, ArtiGras has raised over educational and civic organizations working together
$300,000 for youth art education and local charities. to ensure Palm Beach North is Florida’s “Prosperity Submitted by Anné Desormier-Cartwright, J.D.
About Hanley Foundation Coast.” The chamber’s four strategic imperatives
Hanley Foundation combats substance use disorders are: a prosperous economy, high quality of life for When it comes to your
within our communities by raising awareness and all residents, a smart and connected region, and child, there are likely no
providing education through quality substance use regional leadership. For more information visit: www. steps you would not take to
prevention programming in schools and communities pbnchamber.com. protect him or her. If your
child has a developmental
disability, however, it
can be challenging to
determine the right steps
to take to provide adequate
protection. When a child
turns 18, he or she is able
to make decisions on his
or her own behalf, without the permission of his or her
parents. For parents of a developmentally disabled child,
in particular, this can be a time of uncertainty.
To evaluate whether your child needs a guardian
advocate, here is some information about guardian
advocacy in Florida.
What Is A Developmental Disability?
According to §393.063(12) of the Florida Statutes, an
individual is considered to have a developmental disability
if he or she has “a disorder or syndrome that is attributable
to intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, autism, spina
bifida, Down syndrome, Phelan-McDermid syndrome,
or Prader-Willi syndrome; that manifests before the age
of 18; and that constitutes a substantial handicap that can
reasonably be expected to continue indefinitely.”
What Does It Mean To Be A Guardian Advocate And
Are There Different Types?
In Florida, guardian advocacy is a process where family
members or caregivers can obtain legal authority over
an individual with a diagnosed developmental disability.
Guardian advocacy typically comes in three different
types. An individual can become a guardian advocate
of a person, of property, or both. Becoming a guardian
advocate of a person allows the advocate to make personal
decisions about the physical well-being of a child, while
property rights include the right to contract on behalf of
a child.
Should I Consult With An Attorney?
The short answer is yes. Guardian advocacy can be
a particularly challenging process, which is why we
encourage you to seek the guidance of an experienced
special needs attorney for assistance. Although it is
possible to seek guardian advocacy of your child without
the guidance of an attorney, there is no substitute to
discussing your unique needs with an experienced special
needs attorney who can help ensure your child remains
legally protected once he or she turns 18 years old.
We know this article may raise more questions than
it answers for you. If you have specific questions about
guardian advocacy in Florida, do not wait to contact us
and let us answer your questions about your unique legal
needs.
If you have questions about your estate plan and what
documents you should have in place to plan your estate,
schedule a free consultation today by calling our office at
(561) 694-7827, Anné Desormier-Cartwright, Esq., Elder
& Estate Planning Attorneys PA, 480 Maplewood Drive,
Suite 3, Jupiter, FL 33458.
The content of this article is general and should not be
relied upon without review of your specific circumstances
by competent legal counsel. Reliance on the information
herein is at your own risk, as it expresses no opinion by
the firm on your specific circumstances or legal needs.
An attorney client relationship is not created through the
information provided herein.
To comply with the U.S. Treasury regulations, we must
inform you that (i) any U.S. federal tax advice contained
in this newsletter was not intended or written to be used,
and cannot be used, by any person for the purpose of
avoiding U.S. federal tax penalties that may be imposed
on such person and (ii) each taxpayer should seek advice
from their tax advisor based on the taxpayer’s particular
circumstances.