Bank Account

We took Mikey to the bank to open his own bank account once he was in high school. We wanted him to be able to practice using his debit card for purchases.  Once he turned 18, we needed to make changes to his banking. This may or may not be the case for your family, depending on your child’s needs.

As your child approaches 17.5 years old, consider what makes sense for your family going forward.  You can do research and learn about your options at any time, but when your child turns 17.5, you can apply to your local probate court for some legal influence over your child’s adult life. Each 18-year-old will need a different level of support and protection, but you need to start to think through what makes sense for your family.

Once your child turns 18, you will not automatically have access to their medical records or finances. In preparation for their 18^th birthday, consider Guardianship, Conservatorship and Joint Decision-Making.  Any of these could be right for your family, but you’ll need to get advice from someone who knows your child and your family situation. It will also depend on the state in which you reside. 

There are often free webinars on these topics offered by local businesses. In addition, your child’s public school should have a transition coordinator. They may be able to offer advice and explanations relevant to your specific family and location.

In this one instance, I’m not going to share what our family decided to do…it’s a personal decision which will be different for each family. I just want to put this on your radar, so it doesn’t sneak up on you.