October 2023
Around 14% of public school students receive special education services, including Individualized Education Plans, according to U.S. News and World Report. An IEP is a legal document that can advocate for your child’s unique educational needs. Your child can receive accommodations like extended test time and specialized instruction that enable intellectual development and academic success. Initiating an evaluation Obtaining an IEP begins with an evaluation to identify your child’s educational needs. You or your child’s teachers can request this assessment. After the request, schools usually have a set period to complete the evaluation, which varies by state. This step helps determine if your child qualifies for special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Creating the IEP document The school arranges a meeting once the evaluation confirms the need for an IEP. This meeting involves you, special education teachers, general education teachers and school administrators. Your child’s school must provide you with enough notice before the meeting and schedule it conveniently for all parties. The team collaborates at the meeting to develop an official IEP document. This document outlines your child’s educational performance, specific goals and necessary accommodations. It includes details like the support your child will receive and the length and location of services. Following the plan Once you and the school complete and sign the IEP document, the school can implement the plan. The teachers and school officials involved are responsible for carrying out the services and accommodations specified in the IEP. Federal law requires an annual review of each IEP to assess whether your child is meeting their goals and to make any necessary adjustments. Additionally, a comprehensive reevaluation should occur at least once every three years. You or your child’s teachers can also request an IEP meeting at any time to propose changes to the plan. By understanding these steps, you can more effectively navigate the IEP process. Your involvement ensures your child receives adequate educational support.
A trustee is responsible for administering a trust. However, what happens when there is more than one trustee involved? If you are the beneficiary of a trust with multiple trustees, you should know how all the people running your trust manage your assets. Co-trustees are individuals who share the responsibility of managing a trust. Their dynamics can vary depending on the terms of the trust document. Unanimous decision-making In some cases, co-trustees must all act together . Every decision concerning the trust must be a mutual one reached by the trustees. This approach ensures that no single trustee has more power or influence than the others, helping to promote fairness and transparency. It also prevents hasty decisions that may not align with the long-term goals of the trust. Majority vote Alternatively, co-trustees can operate under a majority vote system. In this scenario, a majority of the trustees make the decisions. For example, if there are three co-trustees, a decision would require at least two of them to agree. This system allows for quicker decision-making but can also result in situations where the opinion of a single trustee holds more weight than the others. Unequal power dynamics In some trusts, there might be a lead trustee with more authority and responsibilities than the other trustees. Often, a grantor sets up a trust this way because one trustee possesses the right expertise or experience to make autonomous decisions but still needs the assistance of co-trustees. While having a prominent trustee can streamline decision-making and provide clear leadership, power imbalances might still lead to conflicts among co-trustees. No matter the working relationship, a trustee has a fiduciary relationship with the beneficiaries of the trust, so a breakdown of performance by any trustee could lead to legal problems. The State of Washington provides a legal framework to resolve trust conflicts and other estate disputes through the Trust and Estate Dispute Resolution Act. While a trust conflict can involve a negotiated settlement, arbitration or mediation, these methods may still consume time and money. Composing a trust document with the proper safeguards, which may include a specific dispute resolution process, may avoid legal trouble between trustees in the first place.
