Planning With Children

From newborns to young adults, Sweeney Law Firm helps Connecticut families build the legal protections their children need at every stage of life. Serving Madison, Guilford, and across the entire state with nearly 30 years of local experience.

Your Children Deserve More Than a Generic Plan

Why Child-Focused Legal Planning Is Different

When it comes to protecting children, standard estate planning is not enough. Parents and guardians face a unique set of legal risks that change as children grow—from the moment a child is born through their transition into adulthood. At Sweeney Law Firm, we have built a dedicated approach to child-centered legal planning that addresses these risks at every stage. Whether you are a new parent worried about what happens to your children if something happens to you, a parent whose child has received a legal settlement, or the parent of a young adult heading out on their own, there are specific legal tools designed to protect your family right now. Our approach is direct and judgment-free. Our team personally guides every family through these decisions, drawing on nearly 30 years of Connecticut probate and planning experience. With offices in Madison and Guilford, we are rooted in the shoreline communities we serve and committed to making sure no child is left unprotected because their parents didn’t know where to start.

Building Protection Around Your Family’s Real-Life Needs

Child-Centered Planning for Emergencies, Guardianship, and Stability

Families with children face legal concerns that many traditional estate plans simply do not address. At Sweeney Law Firm, our child-focused planning services help parents prepare for emergencies, clarify guardianship decisions, and create practical systems designed to protect children if something unexpected occurs. This planning may include legally documenting guardian preferences, identifying individuals parents do not want involved in caregiving decisions, preparing emergency response instructions, and organizing critical information that first responders or family members may need during a crisis. One of the tools we use within this process is our proprietary POLO Plan—Protect Our Little Ones—which helps families create more structured and values-based child protection plans. Every recommendation is tailored to your family’s specific concerns, goals, and dynamics so you can move forward with greater confidence and clarity.

Protecting Young Adults: The 18–25 Healthcare Offer

When Your Child Turns 18, You Lose Legal Access—Unless You Plan Ahead

Most parents do not realize that the moment their child turns 18, they lose automatic legal access to their child’s medical information. If your son or daughter is injured at college, in another state, or even locally, a hospital may legally refuse to speak with you—regardless of your intent to help or pay. Michael Sweeney experienced this firsthand when his own son had a medical emergency out of state. The solution is straightforward: every high school graduate needs three basic documents—a Healthcare Agent Appointment, a HIPAA Waiver, and a Limited Power of Attorney. These give parents the legal authority to access medical records, communicate with doctors, and act on behalf of their child in an emergency. Sweeney Law Firm offers these documents free of charge to high school graduates between the ages of 18 and 25. This is not just a loss leader. It is a service that reflects our conviction that preventable legal problems should be prevented. If your child recently graduated or is about to, contact us and we will get these documents in place before they need them.

When a Child Receives a Settlement: Compromise of Claim

Protecting a Minor’s Legal Settlement Through the Connecticut Probate Court

When a minor is injured and receives a legal settlement—whether from a daycare accident, a car accident, or any other incident—Connecticut law requires that the funds be protected through a court-supervised process called a Compromise of Claim. This means the settlement cannot simply be paid to the parents. It must be reviewed and approved by the Connecticut Probate Court and placed in a restricted account for the benefit of the child. Sweeney Law Firm handles the full Compromise of Claim process, from filing with the appropriate probate court to securing approval and ensuring the funds are properly protected. This service is also a critical resource for personal injury attorneys who have secured a settlement for a minor client and need probate court approval before their firm can close the matter and get paid. If you are a parent navigating this process or a PI attorney who needs a reliable probate partner, Michael Sweeney has the experience and local court relationships to move these matters efficiently and correctly.

FAQS

Frequently Asked Questions About Planning With Children in Connecticut