Getting Affairs in Order: Guardianship & Trusts for Autistic Adults | Windows Into Autism S2 Ep2

What happens to your autistic child when you're no longer here? In this episode of Windows Into Autism, hosts Crystal Mendez Covington and Mama Mendez (Hope Trent Mendez) get real about one of the most important — and most avoided — conversations in the autism community: planning for the future. They share their personal journey navigating guardianship, setting up a special needs trust, and choosing a trustee for Jason (Crystal's brother, who has been autistic since birth). Whether you're just starting to think about this or years behind where you want to be, this episode will help you take the first step. In this episode: ✅ Why so many families avoid future planning — and why you can't afford to ✅ The real cost of raising and supporting an autistic individual ($1.4M–$2.4M lifetime) ✅ How to file for guardianship (Article 17A in New York State) ✅ Guardianship of the person vs. guardianship of property ✅ What a special needs trust is and why the TYPE of trust matters ✅ The role of a trustee and why it's different from a guardian ✅ Social Security, bank accounts, and protecting your child's benefits ✅ What happens if you AND your backup guardian are gone 📌 Resources mentioned in this episode will be posted on our website. Nothing is off topic. Nothing is embarrassing. No silly questions here. Subscribe for new episodes and join the Windows Into Autism community. 💙 #WindowsIntoAutism #AutismPlanning #SpecialNeedsTrust #Guardianship #AutismParents #AutisticAdults #FuturePlanning 0:00 - Introduction & Welcome 1:05 - Why Planning for the Future Matters 4:30 - Statistics: Cost of Raising an Autistic Child 8:15 - Lifetime Cost of Autism (1.4M–2.4M) 11:00 - Guardianship: Our Personal Journey 16:45 - Types of Guardianship (Person vs. Property) 19:30 - Article 17A & New York State Process 22:00 - Special Needs Trust Explained 26:10 - The Role of a Trustee 29:00 - Bank Accounts & Social Security Tips 31:20 - Key Takeaways & Action Steps 33:30 - Closing & Future Episodes