• Overview
• Health insurance
• Child custody
• Allegations of abuse
• The juvenile justice system
• Consent for treatment
• Disclosure of medical information
• Finding attorneys and advocates
• Legal Resources and Links
• Suggestions for Workers in the Juvenile Justice System

Families of children with bipolar disorder often face legal issues related to their child's illness. These issues might involve obtaining health insurance, custody issues, allegations of abuse, encounters with the juvenile justice system, consent for medical treatment, and disclosure of medical information.

There may be times when you need the assistance of an attorney or an advocate to protect your child's rights. We have provided Legal Resources and Links to help you locate a qualified attorney in your state and links to resources to help you research legal issues, as well as guidelines on finding an attorney.

Your child's rights are protected under a variety of federal and state laws, and as the parent of a child with bipolar disorder, you may need to be a strong advocate for your child's rights. The sections that follow touch upon the legal issues that families most frequently encounter.

Disclaimer

Families with legal problems are urged to hire a capable local attorney licensed to practice in the state in which the family resides. The Balanced Mind Foundation (The Balanced Mind Foundation) is unable to provide you with legal advice and The Balanced Mind Foundation’s attorneys are unable to represent you.

The information on this web page is not a substitute for legal advice. It is intended to be general in nature. The laws of each state are different.The law is always changing. The information here may not reflect the latest legal developments. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IS GIVEN AS TO THE ACCURACY OF THIS INFORMATION.