Turning 18: guardianship, supported decision-making or a lasting power of attorney

Special Needs Planning · November 4, 2026 · 7 min read

The short answer

On the day a child turns 18 they become an adult in law (section 3 of the Legal Capacity and Guardianship Law, 5722-1962). Parents are the natural guardians of their minor children only (section 14), and guardianship over a minor ends when the minor reaches majority (section 62). From that day, parents can no longer act for their son or daughter simply because they are the parents.

The law offers three main ways to support an adult with a disability: a lasting power of attorney (yipui ko'ach mitmashekh) that the young adult gives personally, if they can understand what it means (sections 32A and 32B); a decision-making supporter (tomekh be-kabbalat hachlatot), who helps them decide for themselves and does not decide for them (section 67B); and a guardian (apotropos) appointed by the court – only where the purpose cannot be achieved in a less restrictive way (section 33A). Which path fits depends on the young adult's own abilities, needs and wishes.

1. What changes at 18

Until 18, a minor's legal acts need the consent of their representative, who is usually a parent (sections 4 and 14 of the Law). Under section 3, a person who has reached 18 is an adult, and under section 2 every person has capacity to perform legal acts unless that capacity has been removed or restricted by law or by a court judgment.

In practice, from 18 the young adult acts in their own name. If they need help making decisions, or someone to act on their behalf, one of the arrangements provided by law is required – a lasting power of attorney they gave themselves, a court order appointing a decision-making supporter, or a court order appointing a guardian. These applications are heard by the Family Court (Beit HaMishpat LeInyanei Mishpacha) (section 1(6)(c) of the Family Court Law, 5755-1995).

2. The three paths compared

3. Section 33A – less restrictive options first

Section 33A of the Law provides that the court will not appoint a guardian for an adult under section 33(a)(4) unless three conditions are met: without an appointment, the person's rights, interests or needs may be harmed; no lasting power of attorney made by the person has been deposited for those matters; and the purpose cannot be achieved in a way that is less restrictive of the person's rights, liberty and independence, after examining the alternatives, including appointing a decision-making supporter under section 67B.

For a person who cannot take care of their affairs but can make decisions about them, a guardian is appointed only in special circumstances, and may not be authorised to make a decision on their behalf against their will (section 33A(b)). Even when a guardian is appointed, the court keeps the assigned matters as narrow as possible, considers shortening the period of appointment and explains its reasoning (section 33A(e)–(h)).

4. The young adult's own lasting power of attorney

A lasting power of attorney is a document a person gives personally. Under section 32B(a), only an adult with capacity may give one. Section 32A defines a person with capacity as someone able to understand the meaning, purposes and consequences of giving the power of attorney – in the case of a person with a disability, with accommodations under the Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities Law, 5758-1998.

So a lasting power of attorney is possible only from 18, and only when the young adult understands what they are signing. Parents cannot sign it for them. The attorney-in-fact can be any individual aged 18 or over who meets the conditions in section 32C – for example one or both parents. The grantor signs in the physical presence of the lawyer. More on our lasting power of attorney page.

A young adult with capacity may also give advance directives for the appointment of a guardian, naming who they would want appointed if the conditions for an appointment are met in the future, and setting out their wishes about decisions to be made for them (section 35A).

5. How a decision-making supporter works

Under section 67B(a), the supporter helps the person obtain information from any body, understand it – including the possible alternatives and their implications – in plain and clear language they understand, and carry out their decisions and exercise their rights. The decision itself stays with the young adult.

According to the Administrator General's guide on gov.il, the application is filed by the person themselves, and family members or professionals who know them may help. Before filing, there is an information meeting with a representative of the Administrator General, and confirmation of that meeting is attached to the application. The application is filed with the Family Court nearest the person's home, and the court asks a social worker for a report (taskir). In the appointment order the court states the areas of support, the supporter's identity and the period of appointment.

The guide describes three types of supporter: a close supporter (a family member or close friend), a volunteer supporter and a paid professional supporter, and states that the choice of supporter always remains with the person making the decisions. Alongside support, protective measures may be requested under section 68 of the Law.

6. When to start

Until 18 the parents act as natural guardians. Only an adult can give a lasting power of attorney (section 32B(a)), and a decision-making supporter is appointed for an adult (section 67B(d)).

According to the Administrator General's guide, appointing a decision-making supporter involves several stages: an information meeting with an Administrator General representative, filing with the Family Court, a social worker's report and a hearing. The preliminary review – what the young adult understands and wants, in which areas they need help, and who in the family is willing and able to help – does not depend on age, and can take place before the 18th birthday.

7. The young adult's voice

Whichever path is chosen, the law puts the young adult at the centre:

• Before appointing a guardian, the court hears the person's view if they are able to understand the matter and their view can be ascertained (section 36).
• The court appoints whoever is most suitable for the person's welfare, taking their wishes into account (section 35(a)).
• A guardian of an adult acts in a way that restricts their rights and liberty as little as possible, and encourages them to make decisions themselves as far as they can (section 67E).
• The guardian hears their view, involves and consults them where their view can be ascertained, and as a rule follows their wishes where they can understand the matter and the meaning of the decision, unless the guardian believes the decision would cause them real harm (section 67F).

8. How this connects to the parents' own planning

The arrangement for the young adult is one part of the picture. The other part is the parents' own documents:

• Wills and trusts. Who will hold what you leave your child, for what purposes, and who will oversee it – special needs planning and wills.
• A lasting power of attorney for each parent. So that if a parent can no longer manage their own affairs, someone is authorised to act for them – lasting power of attorney.
• Who carries on after you. A parent who is the guardian of their adult child may name, in a will or in a statement of wishes signed before a lawyer, the person they would like appointed as guardian in their place, and may give directions. The court hears the young adult, takes their wishes into account and considers whether the appointment is consistent with their welfare (section 64A).

The effect on benefits is checked with the relevant authorities.

Frequently asked questions

Do parents remain their child's guardians after 18?

Not automatically. Parents are the natural guardians of their minor children (section 14 of the Legal Capacity and Guardianship Law, 5722-1962), and guardianship over a minor ends at majority (section 62). From 18, one of the arrangements set by law is needed – a lasting power of attorney, a decision-making supporter or a court-appointed guardian.

Can a young adult with a disability sign a lasting power of attorney?

Yes, if they are an adult with capacity – able to understand the meaning, purposes and consequences of the power of attorney, with accommodations under the Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities Law (sections 32A and 32B). This is assessed person by person, and they sign personally in the physical presence of a lawyer.

What is the difference between a decision-making supporter and a guardian?

A supporter helps the young adult obtain and understand information and carry out their decisions, but does not decide for them (section 67B(c)). A guardian may decide in the matters the court assigned, and must first hear and involve the young adult, where their view can be ascertained (section 67F). The court appoints a guardian only if the purpose cannot be achieved in a less restrictive way, including a supporter (section 33A(a)(3)).

Who files the application, and where?

An application to appoint a guardian may be filed by the person's spouse, a relative, or the Attorney General (section 33(b)). According to the Administrator General's guide, an application for a decision-making supporter is usually filed by the person themselves, and family members or professionals who know them may help. A supporter may also be appointed where a guardianship application was filed and the court social worker recommends a supporter instead. The applications are heard by the Family Court.

Can a guardian be appointed for one matter only?

Yes. The court specifies which matters are assigned to the guardian – a specific matter, medical, personal or property matters – and keeps them as narrow as possible (section 33A(d)–(e)).

Is guardianship of an adult for life?

Not necessarily. The court considers a shorter period if the purpose can be achieved in less time (section 33A(f)), and guardianship of an adult ends if the court determines that its reasons have ceased or its purpose has been achieved (section 62).

The above is general information on Israeli law only, current as of the date of publication, and does not constitute legal advice or a substitute for advice on your specific circumstances. Consult a lawyer before acting.

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