Must-Have Legal Documents When Your Child Turns 18
Once your child turns 18, they are adults and are “legally on their own” but you still want to be the provider and protector at this young age. Once they leave home, you want to be able to still help and provide if an accident or illness suddenly occurs.
If there is a medical emergency a health care proxy (health care agent or medical power of attorney for health care). This form will allow you as a parent to make medical decisions on your teen’s behalf. Once your teen signs a healthcare proxy, they are appointing you to act on their behalf when it comes to making medical decisions. You will want to check with the state you currently reside in to become familiar with the laws. Each state has different laws when it comes to obtaining a healthcare proxy.
Medical professionals are very familiar with HIPPA and you should be too. HIPPA stands for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and it allows healthcare providers to share your teen’s medical information to you, or anyone that is on your teen list. This usually suffices in most cases when it comes to your teen’s medical records and communicating with their medical professionals.
Durable POA stands for Durable Power of Attorney which allows you as a parent to make financial decisions on your teen’s behalf. You can use this document right after it has been signed or choose to use it only if your teen becomes incapacitated. As a parent, you will be able to sign tax returns, access bank accounts, pay bills, make changes to your teen’s financial aid package or if there are tuition problems. Again, there are different variations of this form depending on what state you reside in, so double-check with your state’s laws.
Remember even though your 18-year-old child is still a child to you, under the law, they are an independent adult. Protect your child and yourself by getting these documents once they turn 18.