Transitions
Financial & Legal Planning
Age of Majority
Age of majority is a legal definition that means that a person is legally an adult and responsible for the majority of his or her actions. In Georgia, the age of majority is 18.
Find the Age of Majority by State.
Registering for the Draft
Almost all male U.S. citizens and male immigrants living in the U.S., who are ages 18 through 25, are required to register with Selective Service. Since there is no draft currently in effect and men are not being classified for service, men with disabilities, clergymen, and men who believe themselves to be conscientiously opposed to war must also register.
Register for the Draft Online.
Supported Decision Making
Supported decision-making is an alternative to guardianship. It allows individuals with disabilities to make choices about their own lives with support from people they know and trust. Supported decision-making promotes self-determination, control, and autonomy and fosters independence.
Find out more about Supported Decision Making
Watch the video to learn how Supported Decision Making can incorporate person-centered planning when a person might have difficulty making choices.
Fact Sheet for Georgia’s Parents – Decision-Making Options for Young Adults with Disabilities
Supported Decision Making Handout
Is Guardianship My Only Option?
Decision-Making (Spanish Version)
Guardianship Myths (Spanish Version)
Future Decisions (Spanish Version)
Futures Planning Handouts
Resources in a Financial Plan (Spanish Version)
Special Needs Trusts vs. ABLE Accounts (Spanish Version)
How to Save Money (Spanish Version)
Power of Attorney for Education -Sample Form
Georgia Advance Directive for Healthcare
Guardianship
Guardianship is when a court appoints a person (a guardian) to make certain decisions for another person (a ward). The court must determine that the ward is unable to make those decisions on their own. Guardianship can take away a person’s rights to decide to marry, make contracts, consent to medical treatment, establish a residence, and bring or defend an action in court.
Information on Guardianship and Alternatives in Georgia
Handbook for Guardians and Conservators of Adults in Georgia
Thinking about Guardianship? A Guide produced by GCDD
Guardianship Law in Georgia (Department of Human Services)
Georgia STABLE Act
Individuals with disabilities and their families often live a life of poverty as a result of not being allowed to save even modest amounts of money without fear of losing supports through SSI, Medicaid and other publicly-funded programs.
ABLE Programs like Georgia STABLE allow qualified individuals with disabilities to save up to $14,000 a year in an ABLE account without jeopardizing their eligibility for federally-funded benefits, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid. The funds in the account can be used for disability-related expenses that assist the beneficiary in increasing and/or maintaining his or her health, independence or quality of life.
The 2024 Georgia STABLE/Path2College Matching Scholarship Program
To further support Georgians with disabilities, the Office of the State Treasurer (OST) has launched the Georgia STABLE/Path2College (P2C) Matching Scholarship Program (Matching Scholarship) for Georgia STABLE account owners ages 18 and under. OST is partnering with Georgia’s Path2College 529 Savings Plan and the Georgia STABLE Program to offer this Matching Scholarship of up to $2,500 for eligible existing or new Georgia STABLE account owners. The award amount will be a dollar-for-dollar match based on net contributions made to an eligible recipient’s Georgia STABLE account between January 1 and December 31, 2024. Net contributions are deposits less withdrawals made during the same period.
The Matching Scholarship is designed to encourage families with children with disabilities to save for future qualified educational expenses through Georgia’s P2C 529 Savings Plan. See the documents below for more information.
Georgia Stable Account Information:
2024 Georgia Matching Scholarship Flyer
2024 Georgia Matching Scholarship Fact Sheet
How to Apply for the 2024 Matching Scholarship – Existing GA Stable Accounts
How to Apply for the 2024 Matching Scholarship – New Stable Accounts
Estate Planning
Planning for the future needs of your children is different when you have a child with a disability. Families should consider how to protect their child’s access to necessary government services while meeting all of their needs.
Find out more about Estate Planning for your Child with a Disability.
Special Needs Trusts – Frequently Asked Questions
Watch the P2P Webinar: Tax Preparations for Parents of Children with Special Needs
Watch the P2P Webinar: Individual Development Accounts