A Guide to Power of Attorney, Guardianship, and Supported Decision-Making in Colorado for Young Adults
Your child is becoming a legal adult. For families raising a young person with a disability, this transition raises real and immediate questions about decision-making, safety, and rights. This guide explains the legal tools available in Colorado — from supported decision-making and powers of attorney to guardianship and special needs planning — and shows how they work together. Use it to balance your young adult’s independence with practical supports, protect their rights, and ensure critical needs are met as they move into adulthood.
A Guide to Preserving Public-Benefit Eligibility While Retaining Assets to Improve Quality of Life
A special needs trust (SNT) holds assets for a person with disabilities and is managed by a trustee who uses trust funds to pay for needs that government programs don’t cover—such as education, therapy, transportation, recreational activities, assistive technology, and personal comfort items. Types of SNTs include first‑party (self‑settled) trusts for assets already owned by the beneficiary, third‑party trusts funded by family or others, and pooled trusts administered by nonprofit organizations. Properly drafted and administered, an SNT preserves eligibility for essential public benefits while providing financial resources to enhance quality of life, making it a key component of many estate plans for families caring for someone with special needs.