All parents must face the idea of their special needs child navigating the world without them.  One way in which they can increase the odds of their child having the future they want for them is to write a letter of intent.

A letter of intent is not a legal document. It is a letter written by the parents or guardian of the child that details the child’s condition, special needs, and history, and also makes clear what the parents wishes and desires are concerning the child’s future. Parents writing a letter of intent might choose to include opinions and desires on behavior management, education, employment, housing, medical history, religion, social environment, or anything else that is important to them.

The point of a letter of intent is to guide those who are responsible for your child in the event of your death. The best time to write a letter of intent is right now. It can always be updated as your situation changes.

A letter of intent should be shared with your attorney, who can then ensure that estate planning decisions are made that are complementary to your wishes and desires. There is no particular way to write a letter of intent. The best way to write a letter of intent is to set some time aside and write from the heart. If you are having trouble writing your letter of intent, try tackling it in three parts:

1.      Statement that describes your child’s diagnosis, needs, condition, and history.

2.      Section that lists issues that are important to you, followed by how you would like them handled. For example, it might be important that your child is disciplined in a certain way, or is raised according to a certain religion.

3.      Closing statement that wraps up what you would like your child’s future to look like.