Accessibility & Language Options

All Decision Making Supports

Below is a complete list of all decision-making supports. Click on each item for more information. If you are unsure where to begin in determining the amount of support you need, considering starting with the The LifeCourse Exploring Decision-Making Supports Tool*. This tool helps you explore areas of your life where you may need help with making decisions. 

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ABLE Account

A savings program that you can use to pay for disability-related expenses.

Advanced Healthcare Directive (Living Will)

A way to write down your healthcare decisions for the future so they must be followed.

Conservatorship

If an adult with a disability cannot make their own decisions, the court can legally assign someone else to make decisions for them.

Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA)

Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA) allows you to choose someone else to make certain decisions for you and it keeps working even if you cannot make decisions for yourself anymore.

Guardianship

Parents are legally responsible for all decisions for their children until the child turns 18. A court can appoint a person to be a child’s guardian.

Health Care Surrogate

Someone else will make decisions for you about your healthcare if you are unable to make them yourself.

Power of Attorney (POA)

Gives someone else the right to do things like take care of your money or make legal decisions for you.

Representative Payee

A person who manages your Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and/or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) check.

Special Needs Trust

Legal plan with someone you trust to protect the assets and money of a person with a disability.

Supported Decision-Making (SDM) (for Minors)

Applies to all types of decision-making. Supports people to understand and make decisions about their lives.

Supported Decision-Making (SDM) (with a Conservatorship)

Applies to all types of decision-making. Supports people to understand and make decisions about their lives.

Supported Decision-Making SDM (for Adults)

Applies to all types of decision-making. Supports people to understand and make decisions about their lives.

Will

Documents that explain what you want to happen after you die.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this website is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject matter. No recipients of content from this site, clients or otherwise, should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any content included in the site without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from an attorney licensed in the recipient’s state. The content of this website contains general information and may not reflect current legal developments, verdicts or settlements. The Tennessee Center for Decision-Making Support expressly disclaims all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any or all the contents of this website.