Young adults
At 18, parents can no longer make medical or financial decisions for a child. These documents keep you able to help.
The day your child turns 18, you no longer have the automatic right to make medical or financial decisions for them, or to see their medical records. A short set of estate planning documents puts that authority with the person they choose. For most families, that person is a parent.
Medical power of attorney
This names who can make health care decisions if your child cannot. Without it, a hospital can require a court guardianship before a parent can step in. That takes time, and the appointment is not guaranteed.
Permission to see medical records
Federal privacy rules block parents from medical records once a child is 18, even in an emergency. A HIPAA authorization, often signed with the medical power of attorney, lets the people your child names request those records.
A living will
A living will records end-of-life wishes, including whether your child would want life-sustaining treatment continued. It guides the person named in the medical power of attorney. It is a hard conversation, and it is easier to have before a crisis.
Financial power of attorney
This lets a trusted person pay tuition, deal with a bank, or handle a lease if your child cannot. Without it, those tasks can also require a court appointment.
Have these signed while your child is healthy. A document signed after an accident, or not signed at all, may not be available when you need it.
This article is general information, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change, and every family is different.