Florida parents looking to establish guardianship over their adult children with disabilities are getting a leg up from a local judge.

Judge Lawrence Kirkwood prepared a guide to walk parents through the often confusing process of seeking guardianship.

Parents can petition for guardianship, which is also referred to as conservatorship, when a child reaches the age of 18 but is unable to assume all of the rights that come with adulthood. There are different levels of guardianship, but all requests must be approved by a judge to become official.

Until last year Floridians needed a lawyer to seek guardianship, which could cost thousands of dollars. But a recent act of the state’s legislature made it so that parents can file for guardianship on their own.

The guide can be found by clicking here. And the paperwork referenced in the guide can be found by clicking here.

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