Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi,
My son has ASD, attends a special school, has an EHCP. He's only 5. We have been putting money in a Junior ISA for him since birth, it's invested in investment funds so by the time he's 18 we expect it to be a substantial amount of money if the investments perform well.
Assuming he lacks the mental capacity to manage his own finances when he turns 18 years old, is it possible to obtain a power of attorney for his money so that we can make sure it's spent on him and only for him?
It's obviously a long way off, and the law could change between now and then. But we're concerned that due to his vulnerability someone could get him to hand his money over. We will be putting money into an ISA in one of our names from now on, but I just want to make sure there's mechanism in place to protect anything we've saved for him.
He has very limited words, no idea how he'll turn out... but assuming it's the same in the future, are there mechanisms in place legally for a judge to grant the power of attorney if the person it's for doesn't understand any of it?
Has anyone here got a child who's become an adult and had to face the same situation?
Thanks,
Chris
I can understand your concerns about ensuring his financial security, especially given his unique needs.I remember when my cousin faced a similar situation with her daughter, who has special needs. They explored legal options to safeguard her finances as she approached adulthood. It was a relief for them to find out about mechanisms like power of attorney that could provide the necessary protection.Speaking of legal matters, a friend of mine recently had a positive experience with a Longmont personal injury lawyer. It's reassuring to know that there are professionals out there who can provide guidance and support when needed.