When a Child Turns 18: Guardianship, Supported Decision-Making, and Benefits Planning for Individuals with Disabilities

Adrienne Arkontaky, Founder and Owner | Arkontaky Law Group, PC

Adrienne J. Arkontaky is the Founder and Owner of Arkontaky Law Group, P.C., where she focuses her practice on special education advocacy and litigation, special needs estate planning, guardianship, special needs trust administration, Medicaid, and administrative appeals involving the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). She helps individuals with disabilities and their families plan for the future through an individualized approach that considers guardianship, advance directives, supported decision-making options, special needs trusts, and eligibility for government benefits. Drawing on nearly two decades of legal practice and her personal experience as the mother of a daughter with significant medical needs and developmental disabilities, Adrienne is dedicated to helping families navigate the legal and practical challenges of long-term planning.

• Education & Credentials

Adrienne earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Iona College and her Juris Doctor from Pace University School of Law. She is admitted to practice in New York and Pennsylvania.

• Recognition & Leadership

Adrienne has been recognized by Super Lawyers, including selection as a Rising Star from 2013 through 2015 and inclusion in its annual selection from 2016 through 2025. She was also recognized by the PULSES organization of Orange County as an outstanding advocate for her work on behalf of students with disabilities. Her leadership in the legal community includes serving as Chairperson of the Special Education Committee of the New York State Bar Association and on the Executive Committee of its Elder Law and Special Needs Section. She has also served as Chairperson of the Women in Leadership Committee of the Westchester Women’s Bar Association.

• Professional Involvement

Adrienne is involved with the New York State Bar Association, including its Special Needs Planning and Disability Rights Committees, and is a member of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates. Her professional service has also included work with the Westchester Women’s Bar Association, where she has served in committee leadership roles and mentored law students. She previously served as Chairperson and a trustee of the John A. Coleman School and as a board member of Family Ties of Westchester.

• Experience

Before founding Arkontaky Law Group in 2023, Adrienne served as Vice President and Managing Attorney at a large special education law firm, where she founded and supervised a practice group representing students with special education needs throughout New York State, including New York City. Earlier in her career, she worked as a Pro Bono Coordinator at a major law firm and as a Medicaid Service Coordinator with Family Connection in Westchester, an agency providing case management for families of children with disabilities. Her current practice includes special needs planning, guardianship, trust administration, and appeals involving Medicaid and OPWDD. She also dedicates part of her practice to representing underserved communities, including non-English-speaking families in special education due process hearings.

SESSION 1 – Turning 18: Guardianship, Decision-Making, and Legal Authority | Adrienne Arkontaky | 12:00pm – 1:00pm

Turning 18 can fundamentally change how parents and caregivers participate in legal, medical, financial, and other important decisions for an individual with disabilities. This session will examine the transition to legal adulthood, when guardianship may be appropriate, and the range of less restrictive alternatives available to families. It will also address supported decision-making, powers of attorney, and practical considerations for establishing the appropriate level of legal authority while preserving the individual’s autonomy and rights.

BREAK | 1:00pm – 1:10pm

SESSION 2 – Protecting Benefits and Planning for the Future | Adrienne Arkontaky | 1:10pm – 2:10pm

The transition to adulthood also brings important financial and government-benefit considerations that can affect an individual’s long-term stability and access to services. This session will explore the transition to adult SSI and Medicaid, eligibility considerations involving income and assets, and the use of special needs trusts and other planning tools. It will also address how families can coordinate benefits, financial support, and long-term planning while preparing for changes in caregivers and the individual’s future needs.