Are Legal Documents Necessary for Young Adults?

As summer winds down, many families are preparing to send their children off to college. Amid the packing lists and orientation schedules, there’s one important task that’s often overlooked: ensuring your student has legal documents in place in case of a medical or financial emergency. Today we are going to focus on the importance of legal documents for young adults.

Pro tip for families!

Once your child turns 18, you as a parent no longer have automatic access to their medical or financial information. This applies even in an emergency. That’s why it’s critical for your college-bound student to sign a Durable Financial Power of Attorney and an Advance Directive for Healthcare.

What documents are critical?

The Advance Directive for Healthcare allows your student to name a trusted person (often a parent) as their healthcare agent to make medical decisions if they are unable to do so. It also includes a HIPAA release, which is essential for healthcare providers to share medical information with you. Without this release, hospitals may be unable to communicate details about your child’s condition, even in a crisis.

The Durable Financial Power of Attorney authorizes a parent or trusted individual to handle financial and legal matters on the student’s behalf..

These documents are simple to complete, but their value is immeasurable in a time of need. As you prepare your student for independence, don’t forget to put legal protections in place. This provides you and your student with peace of mind and preparedness.

Online docs ok?

While online services like MamaBear and other DIY legal platforms may seem convenient, they often lack the personalization and state-specific guidance needed to ensure documents are legally valid and comprehensive. A qualified elder law or estate planning attorney can help ensure your student’s documents meet legal standards and fully protect their wishes and your access in an emergency.

Hurley Elder Care Law has extensive experience assisting families with estate planning. Call us today at 404-843-0121 to schedule a meeting so we can help your adults (18+) complete these important tasks and find peace of mind. We have four convenient offices in Georgia (Atlanta, Duluth, Peachtree City, and Woodstock) to serve you.