Young Adults (18+)
As parents, you are responsible for your children’s legal, financial, and health care needs. And, because they are minors and your children, no one questions your authority to make these decisions.
But what happens when your children turn 18 and become young adults?
In the eyes of the law, your children are full-fledged adults. They are solely responsible for their legal, financial, and health care needs now. You, as their parents, lose your abilities to make legal, financial, or health care decisions for your children without your children’s express consent. This is why legal planning is essential for your children when they become young adults.
So, what do your adult children need?
There are 3 essential documents every child over 18 should have:
1. Health Care Proxy
A Health Care Proxy is an advanced directive that allows your children to grant you (or someone else) the legal authority to make healthcare decisions for them in the event they become incapacitated and cannot make those decisions for themselves.
2. HIPPA Authorization
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) protects your children’s privacy by limiting who can access their medical records. A HIPPA Authorization gives your children’s health care providers permission to discuss their medical situation with trusted family members who have been specifically authorized by your children. With this form, you will be able to access your children’s medical information in an emergency, whereas without it you would not.
3. Durable Power of Attorney
A Durable Power of Attorney allows your children to give you (or someone else) the authority to manage their legal or financial matters (such as paying bills and managing banking and other financial accounts) without Court interference. That could even include semesters your children spend studying abroad. Without this document, you would have to petition the Court for that authority.