When you have a child with special needs, one of your biggest fears is what will happen to them when you’re no longer able to care for them. So, planning for their future care is a top priority. Creating a Letter of Intent is one crucial step you can take to ensure their future is secure. Your Letter guides anyone who may care for your child in your absence, ensuring they understand your child's needs, routines, and preferences.
In this article, we’ll explain what a Letter of Intent is, why it's essential, and what it should include so it effectively communicates your child's needs. Let’s jump in.
What is a Letter of Intent?
A Letter of Intent is not legally binding but is integral to your child’s care plan. It provides detailed information about your child's life, including their daily routine, medical history, educational needs, and likes and dislikes. Think of it as a comprehensive guide that helps future caregivers understand how to provide the best care for your child.
Writing a Letter of Intent gives a voice to your child's unique needs and preferences. You help ensure that their care remains consistent and that caregivers have the information they need to make informed decisions.
Why is a Letter of Intent Important?
Creating a Letter of Intent is important because it gives you peace of mind. Knowing that your child's future caregivers will have detailed instructions and information can relieve some of the stress and uncertainty about the future. Here are a few more reasons why a Letter of Intent is essential:
Continuity of Care: Your child has specific routines and needs that should be maintained even if you are not there to provide care. The Letter of Intent ensures that caregivers follow these routines, which can be exceptionally comforting for your child.
Medical Information: The letter includes your child's medical history, current medications, and contact information for their healthcare providers. This information is vital in emergencies and for ongoing medical care.
Educational Needs: The letter details your child’s education plan, including their Individualized Education Program (IEP). This ensures that any changes in caregivers or guardians do not disrupt their educational progress.
Personal Preferences: You know your child best. By including their likes, dislikes, and individual preferences, you help caregivers provide an environment where your child feels safe and happy.
What Information Should Be Included
To ensure the best care for your child, the Letter should be as detailed as possible. Here are the essential items you should include:
Personal Information. Start with basic information about your child, including their full name, date of birth, and any nicknames they prefer. If possible, include a photo. This section helps caregivers quickly identify your child and understand their basic background.
Medical Information. Detail your child’s medical history, including any diagnoses, allergies, medications, and treatment plans. Provide the names and contact information of their doctors and therapists. Include any medical insurance information and emergency procedures that caregivers need to know.
Daily Routine. Describe a typical day in your child’s life. Include information about their morning routine, meal preferences, school schedule, therapy sessions, playtime, and bedtime routine. This section helps caregivers maintain consistency in your child's day-to-day life.
Education. Provide details about your child’s education, including the name of their school, teachers, and any special education programs. Include information about their IEP or 504 plan, and any specific accommodations or supports they need in the classroom.
Social and Behavioral Information. Explain your child’s social skills and any behavioral challenges they may have. Include strategies that have been effective in managing their behavior and helping them interact with others. This section can be invaluable for caregivers in providing appropriate support.
Likes and Dislikes. List your child’s favorite activities, toys, foods, and hobbies. Also, note any dislikes or triggers that may upset them. This information helps caregivers create a positive environment and avoid potential stressors.
Long-term Goals. Share your hopes and dreams for your child’s future. This might include educational goals, career aspirations, or plans for independent living. By outlining your vision, you give caregivers a sense of direction in supporting your child's development.
Making the Time to Get It Done
All this may sound overwhelming to you, especially if you struggle to get through each day. So it’s no surprise that the biggest challenge is not creating the Letter, it’s finding the time to do it. Having an accountability partner may help. As a Personal Family LawyerⓇ with a Special Needs Planning focus, I include the Letter of Intent as part of our planning process. So while you’re planning for your child’s future without you, we make sure you get the Letter done. We’ll also help you keep it updated over time, so as life changes, you know your child will get the care they deserve. In fact, if you’ve already created your Life & Legacy Plan with us, keep an eye out for our reminders to review and update your plan. If you know now that you need to update your plan due to a life change, don’t hesitate to call us right away. That’s what we’re here for!
We Help You Complete All Your Future Planning
As a Personal Family Lawyer® Firm, we want to help ease your anxiety in any way we can. We may not be able to help your child feel more comfortable in crowds, but we can help you figure out the answer to the question, “What do I do about the future?” That's why we offer a personalized approach and a comprehensive range of estate planning services, including Special Needs Trusts, legal guardianship nominations, and a Letter of Intent to create a unique plan that ensures your child’s success. As a trusted advisor, we’ll walk you through all your options and set up your plan so you can have peace of mind about your child’s future without you.