Max Shilleto Explores Support Systems for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities in The Globe and Mail

Lawson Lundell is pleased to share that estate planning lawyer and disability advocate Max Shilleto has authored an article recently featured in The Globe and Mail.

The article addresses the significant challenges faced by families of young adults with intellectual disabilities as they navigate the transition into adulthood.

Max examines the limitations of current provincial capacity laws, which often treat individuals as either fully capable or fully incapable. This approach frequently leaves families with no choice but to pursue costly, "blunt force" guardianship court applications, even when the individual only requires assistance with specific tasks, such as managing routine finances or government benefits.

In the article, Max highlights British Columbia's Representation Agreements as a more nuanced model that allows for supported decision-making without removing a person's autonomy. He calls on provinces across Canada to modernize their frameworks to create accessible, non-court legal tools that reflect the reality of many living with disabilities.

"Protecting people does not require stripping them of autonomy," Shilleto said in the article. "Support should not require court applications, medical assessments, or costly legal proceedings."

Max's practice focuses on estate planning, wealth preservation, and business succession. He works with individuals, families, and business owners to design and implement strategies that protect assets, address complex family dynamics, and facilitate the smooth transfer of wealth across generations.

To read the full article, please visit here.