Decision Making
Every situation is different, so we can’t say what will work best for you. But we can help you understand your choices, what each one is for, and how they might help you. We encourage you to explore your options and try things out to see what works best for you. We are not lawyers and can’t give legal advice. If you have a legal issue or need to go to court, we suggest talking to a licensed attorney.
Making decisions is something you build over time. It doesn’t just start when you turn 18—it takes practice and support. Making choices as a young adult can be hard for anyone, with or without a disability. That’s why it’s so important for you to have the same chance to make choices, learn from them, and experience both success and mistakes. Practicing early can really help you in the future. Decision-making might look different for everyone, and that’s okay. It depends on your life, community, and the support you have.
Making it your own
Types of Decision Making Supports
There’s more than one way to get help with making decisions. In the past, people were often only told about guardianship. But today, Minnesota law says other options must be explored first. Guardianship is still available, but it’s not the only choice—and it may not be the best fit for everyone. You and the people you trust can decide which options to try. Sometimes one option might not work, or you might want to use more than one. What matters most is finding the kind of support that works best for you and fits your life. You can start by thinking about:
- What decisions you already make by yourself.
- What decisions you want help with.
- What decisions someone else is making for you now.
This tool can help you get started:
Charting the LifeCourse Supported Decision-Making Toolkit
There are many ways to get help making decisions. Some options help you stay in charge while getting support from people you trust. Other options involve giving someone else legal permission to make certain decisions for you. What works best depends on what kind of support you want, your comfort level, and what’s going on in your life. You can mix and match different types of support, and your needs might change over time.
Circle of Support
Your Circle of Support is made up of people you trust. They help you think about your decisions and what matters to you. This could include family, friends, teachers, doctors, or support staff.
Release of Information
You can use a release of information form to give permission for others (like a doctor or school) to share information about you with your supporters. That way, everyone helping you can work together and stay informed.
Supported Decision-Making Agreement
This is a written or verbal agreement that lists who your supporters are and what types of decisions they help you with (like health, money, or school). It’s a way to show that you want support, but that you’re still in charge.
Health Care Directive
This is a plan that explains what kind of medical care you want if you can’t speak for yourself. You can also name someone to make health care decisions for you if needed.
Support at Meetings
You can bring a supporter with you to meetings. They can help take notes, ask questions, or just be there for support.
Technology
Technology can be a big help in making decisions. You can use it to stay in touch with your supporters, make a budget, research choices, and more.
Supports and Services
Having support services in place helps you work toward your goals. These services often involve professionals who can help with things like planning, transportation, education, or finding a job. You can work with them to figure out what you want and how to get there.
Power of Attorney (POA)
This is a legal document that lets someone else make decisions for you. You get to choose what they help with—like money, health care, or something else. You can change or cancel the POA at any time. You should talk to a lawyer to set this up.
Authorized Representative
An Authorized Representative can help you apply for county benefits, like Medical Assistance. You need to fill out a form from your county to let them know you want someone else to help you manage your benefits.
Guardianship
Guardianship is a court process that gives another person the right to make certain decisions for you. It can include things like:
- Choosing where the person lives.
- Helping the person stay safe, healthy, and supported (including housing, food, school, and job programs).
- Taking care of the person’s things (like clothes, furniture, or other personal items).
- Making decisions about medical care or other professional help.
- Agreeing to or saying no to contracts (like leases, service plans, or agreements).
- Watching over the person’s well-being.
- Helping the person apply for and get government benefits (like Social Security or Medical Assistance).
A guardian can have some or all of these powers. If they only have a few, it’s called limited guardianship. If they have all of them, it’s full guardianship. Some other things to know about guardianship:
- It’s only for adults (18+).
- It’s different from custody (which is for minors).
- Guardians must file paperwork with the court every year.
- It’s the most expensive option and typically requires a lawyer.
- You should review guardianship regularly to see if you still need it.
Resources for More Information
- Health Care
- Managing Money
- Representative Payee
- Benefits-Authorized Representative
- Power of Attorney
- Guardianship
- Supported Decision Making
Disclaimer
The Arc Minnesota shares information to help and support you. We do our best to keep it correct and up-to-date, but we can’t promise everything will always be complete or accurate. We recommend double-checking information to be sure.
Sometimes, we link to other websites for more resources. The Arc Minnesota is not responsible for what is on those sites or if the information there is correct.
Our information is for general use and doesn’t replace advice from experts like doctors, lawyers, or financial advisors. If you need specific help, please talk to a professional.
The Arc Minnesota is not responsible for any mistakes, missing details, or any problems caused by using our website. The information on our site belongs to The Arc Minnesota, and you can’t copy it without permission.