Many parents are surprised to learn that when their child turns 18, most of their legal authority ends. You’ve handled every doctor’s visit and signed every school form for years. But if your college freshman ends up in an emergency room far from home, the hospital might not be able to share any information with you. It’s not that the staff is unhelpful, the law now considers your child an adult.
There are a few simple documents that can help:
- Health care proxy (sometimes called a medical power of attorney): This lets your student choose someone they trust to make medical decisions if they are unable to speak for themselves.
- HIPAA authorization: This gives doctors and hospitals permission to share medical information with the family members your student selects.
- Durable financial power of attorney: This allows a trusted person to take care of banking, bills, or housing issues if the student can’t do it themselves.
- FERPA waiver: This lets the college share educational records with parents or other people your student names. Most schools have their own form, so check with the registrar’s office.
Will you ever need these documents? Probably not, and that’s what everyone hopes. But emergencies can happen at any time, and the last thing you want is to find out you’re locked out of important information during a crisis.
So, while you’re shopping for twin XL sheets and discussing the mini fridge, add these documents to your checklist. Spending an hour on paperwork now can save your family a lot of stress later.
At Crestwood, we believe simplifying wealth includes getting ready for milestones like this and the surprises they can bring. If your child is turning 18 or going to college, we’re here to help you begin the conversation with your attorney.
