Why College-Bound Students Over 18 Should Have Powers of Attorney in Place
As summer winds down and your child prepares for their first semester of college, your checklist likely includes textbooks, dorm essentials, and maybe a few emotional goodbyes. One more critical item that often gets overlooked—estate planning for young adults. It may sound premature to think about estate planning for someone just stepping into adulthood. But once a child turns 18, they are legally considered an adult in the eyes of the law. That means parents no longer have automatic authority to make medical decisions, access health records, manage bank accounts, or handle other important matters on their child’s behalf, even in an emergency. This is where Powers of Attorney come into play.
At a minimum, every young adult should have two foundational documents in place before heading off to college:
1. Healthcare Power of Attorney
This document allows your child to name someone they trust—usually a parent—to make medical decisions on their behalf if they are unable to do so themselves. It also allows you to speak with doctors and make decisions regarding your child’s care, which can be crucial if an accident or illness occurs while they’re away at school.
2. Financial Power of Attorney
This gives a trusted person the authority to handle financial matters such as paying bills, managing bank accounts, handling tuition or housing payments, or dealing with financial aid offices and insurance companies if your child is temporarily incapacitated.
In our Child Power of Attorney Package, we also include HIPAA Authorization forms. This form allows an appointed person to access your medical records in the event of an emergency.
Why It Matters
Emergencies are never expected, but they do happen. Whether it’s a serious car accident, an unexpected illness, or even just dealing with administrative tasks while your child is studying abroad or in another state, these documents provide peace of mind and a clear path for you to step in and help, without additional legal hurdles.
Creating Powers of Attorney is a simple process that allows young adults to make decisions for themselves while still providing a safety net. It also gives your child an opportunity to learn more about managing their own affairs and thinking ahead about the responsibilities of adulthood.
Our goal is to make it easy for families to put these important protections in place. Whether your child is heading to a local college or across the country, we’re here to help you start this next chapter with confidence and legal peace of mind.
About the Author
Emily B. Johnson
Legal Assistant