On 10 September 2025, Hunters Law LLP was proud to co-host an exclusive STEP roundtable breakfast at our Lincoln's Inn offices, bringing together a diverse group of professionals, parents, and advocates to explore the legal and practical implications of turning 18 for young adults who lack capacity. Chaired by business and leadership editor Sally Percy, the event titled "From Parent to Adviser: Legal Handover at 18" sparked a dynamic and heartfelt discussion on the abrupt transition from parental responsibility to personal autonomy. The roundtable featured voices from across the legal, medical, educational, and charitable sectors, alongside parents with lived experience navigating this complex shift.
A Legal Milestone with Real-World Consequences
Turning 18 is a legal milestone that grants young people full autonomy over their financial, medical, and welfare decisions. But for those who lack capacity and their parents, this transition can be fraught with uncertainty. Parents often find themselves suddenly excluded from decision-making, while professionals must navigate a patchwork of legal mechanisms such as Lasting Powers of Attorney, appointeeships, applications to the Court of Protection and deputyships, to ensure appropriate support.
A Call for Greater Awareness and Reform
The discussion highlighted a pressing need for better preparation and clearer guidance for families approaching this transition. Schools, local authorities, and healthcare providers were identified as key players in bridging the information gap along with legal professionals.
Hunters' partners Lara Barton and Caroline Foulger took part in the roundtable, and Lara commented: "This was an important discussion about what can be an extremely challenging and difficult period of time for the parents / carers of young persons with limited or no mental capacity, and there is plenty that can be done in terms of building awareness and providing guidance to help people better prepare for the transition".
Continuing the Conversation
This roundtable is part of Hunters Law's ongoing commitment to supporting vulnerable individuals and their families. Our Vulnerable Individuals microsite showcases our cross-disciplinary expertise in this area, from estate planning to health and welfare matters.
We are grateful to STEP and all participants for their thoughtful contributions and look forward to continuing this important dialogue. A more detailed write-up of the event will be available on STEP.org in December.