Essential Documents for your 18-year-old children to complete
When a child turns 18, they are legally an adult. Children are used to having the support and advocacy of their parents and parents are used to being able to help their children. Without proper planning, parents could be shut out and unable to seamlessly support their child. As children turn 18 and venture out into the world and college, there are several documents that your children should sign:
Durable Power of Attorney - this power of attorney continues even after disability or incapacity which would eliminate the need to go to Court for a guardianship in the worst-case scenario if your child is injured or sick and unable to make decisions. The durable power of attorney can be customized to the needs of your family and can include: access to educational records otherwise protected by FERPA (Federal Education Privacy Act); access to medical information and medical decision making; ability to access financial information and banking institutions.
Healthcare Surrogate - this document allows a parent to make medical decisions on behalf of their child if the child is injured or sick and unable to make medical decisions for him or herself. This form eliminates the need to go to Court to be appointed as a legal guardian to be granted the same rights.
HIPPA Release - the document allows the parent to have access to the adult child’s otherwise protected health information. This allows the parent to help with medical appointments and receive information.
Living Will - this is probably the scariest to think about with your child, but it is important to know their choices regarding organ donation and desires regarding extraordinary lifesaving measures in certain situations and circumstances.
Sending children into adulthood and the world is scary enough. Having these documents will help protect your most precious asset, your children. These documents will allow you to continue to support your children through access to information and ability to make decisions and avoid the need for court in the case that your children are sick, injured, or incapacitated.
Contact Howard or Jennifer at Howard Rosenblatt, P.A. to assist you with planning for your
adult child’s needs.