SUCCESS STORY

Ava’s daughter Heidi has suffered from quadriplegic infantile cerebral palsy since birth. She cannot speak, is in a wheelchair and cannot dress or feed herself. Ava has cared for Heidi all of her life. When Heidi turns 18, however, she will no longer be under her mother’s care from a legal perspective; instead, in the eyes of the law, Heidi will be responsible for her own medical and financial decisions. Given Heidi’s medical condition, she needs someone who can represent her best interests. What could Ava do to ensure that her daughter’s well being?

How Legal Aid Helped
Because of Heidi’s condition, she will need to be under a conservatorship when she turns 18. A conservatorship is a legal right given to a person to be responsible for the assets and finances of another person who cannot make such decisions. Without a conservatorship, Heidi would have no one who can legally look out for her health and well being.

Through the Conservatorship Pro Bono Project, Legal Aid helped Ava navigate the complicated process of obtaining a conservatorship for her daughter Heidi.

• The attorney first consulted with Legal Aid’s panel of experienced lawyers who are well versed in conservatorships to guide the process.

• Legal Aid served as Ava’s advocate and attorney during the three-month long application process and a hearing before a probate judge.

Ava was successfully appointed Heidi’s conservator, so that she can legally continue to make sure that her daughter has the care that she needs.

To help give hope to children and mother like Heidi and Ava, please give a gift.