- 305-570-0940
- 15715 S. Dixie Highway, Suite 205, Palmetto Bay, FL 33157
All students with qualifying disabilities are entitled to a free appropriate public education (FAPE). However, the laws that govern special education are complex, and successfully navigating the special education process can be difficult and overwhelming for parents. Our advocates and attorneys have combined experience of almost 60 years working in Florida schools. We are here to guide and inform you about your child’s rights within the educational system and to develop effective, practical and creative solutions in public and charter schools.
Our representation of children with special needs encompasses the full spectrum of rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), from attendance at IEP Team meetings and Mediation, to zealous and experienced representation in Due Process Hearings, State and Federal Courts.
When to seek a special education attorney:
Langer Law, P.A. is here to help. Call us today.
Advocacy is an essential part of representing a family with a child who has special needs. Families have so many questions, fears, anxieties and concerns. The systems are difficult to navigate and require special knowledge to understand how all the pieces fit together. Education is an enormous part of a child’s life, whether in public school, charter school, private school or home school (or some combination of all four). Langer Law, P.A. can answer your questions, help you plan and revise that plan as your child ages. Having Langer Law, P.A. on your team, can help your family avoid common pit falls, explain how the systems work (or do not work) together, give you the necessary vocabulary and tools to better advocate for your child. Have questions, call us today.
Students with disabilities and without disabilities are sometimes disciplined unfairly. If a student has behaviors that interfere with their learning, they are likely entitled to a Behavioral Intervention Plan (BIP) targeting those behaviors. Florida law prohibits any punishment for a manifestation of a student’s disability. Langer Law, P.A. knows how to manage discipline questions while addressing the student’s underlying behavioral needs. Need help, call us today.
There are many pros and such as many cons to attending a private school. It is not always an easy decision. Private schools are not subject to the same laws as public and charter schools. Specifically, private schools are not subject to the requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), even if they accept state scholarship dollars. Private schools however could be subjected to the Florida contracts law, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and in rare occasions Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. While rights and responsibilities that exist in private schools are limited, we assist families seeking to find the right private school and when a family needs to transition out of a private school placement that has failed. Contact Langer Law, P.A. today to answer all your questions.
Times of transition can be exciting but also very stressful and overwhelming. Langer Law, P.A. can assist families with planning for these big moments in a person’s life. This includes moving from elementary school to middle school, middle school to high school and high school to secondary school or vocational programming and beyond. This could also include the need for advance directives, like powers of attorney and preneed guardians, a guardianship or a special needs trust. We can even assist families who are going through a separation or divorce and need assistance developing a parenting plan. We offer consultation and representation as needed. Contact Langer Law, P.A. today to make a plan.
In Florida there are several types of guardianships. There are voluntary, involuntary, emergency, limited, plenary and a less formal option known as a guardian advocate. Langer Law, P.A. will be able to guide you through every step of the process from deciding what level of support your loved one needs to obtaining the necessary court orders and annual reports required by the courts.
The court may appoint a guardian advocate for an individual with developmental disabilities to obtain legal authority to act on their behalf (and in conjunction with that individual) if they lack the decision-making ability to do some (but not all) of the decision-making tasks.
Guardianship is a two step process. First the court will determine capacity. The court will order an examining committee of three professionals to assess the person’s physical, mental, and functional capacity. The committee will report back to the court. Based upon these reports the court will determine if a guardian is needed, what rights will be transferred to that guardian and who the guardian will be. Guardians must file an annual plan and accounting with the courts. Contact Langer Law, P.A. today to help you determine what level of support your family needs.
Let us help you set up a designated Special Needs Trust so that you never have to worry about the care of a loved one with disabilities. The trust can fund special equipment, therapies, medical second opinions, travel expenses, and other extra services or expenses related to maintaining a loved one’s standard of living without impacting their government benefits. Contact Langer Law, P.A. to answer all your questions and help your family plan for the future.
Advance directives, such as Powers of Attorney, Health Care Surrogates, and Pre-Need Guardianship Designations, are key planning tools for every individual, regardless of age. Powers of Attorney appoint a person or persons who you wish to give power to act on your behalf in the event of certain circumstances, such as a traumatic disability. Health Care Surrogates are people you chose as a “health care agent” to act on your behalf with regard to your health care, in the event you are unable to express your own wishes. Advance directives also allow parents to have access to information when their adult child goes off to college. Colleges will not share certain information with the family unless the family has certain documents in place that grants them such access to that information. Have peace of mind that should something happen while your child is at college, you will be able to communicate with all the necessary people, without delay or interference. Contact Langer Law, P.A. to discuss what advance directives you need.