Right now you are probably busy with last-minute shopping and packing to send your child off to college. Before your child leaves for college, the following 3 legal documents should be in place as they are as important, if not more imporant, than anything else on your checklist.
Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care
Every year, roughly a quarter of a million young adults between the ages of 18-25 wind up in the hospital. From alcohol poisoning and nonlethal accidents to unexpected illnesses, it’s important for you prepare for the worst. Once a child reaches the age of 18, a parent’s decision-making role is significantly diminished, especially in regards to making healthcare decisions.
Should your child get in a car accident, or fall ill and not be capable of making their own medical decisions, then without a durable power of attorney naming the parents as health care agents for the child, the parents cannot make medical decisions on their child’s behalf. If you want to ensure that you can continue to make healthcare decisions for your child, a health care power of attorney should be at the top of your to-do list.
2. HIPAA Authorization
In order to make informed medical decisions, it’s important to include a HIPAA authorization form along with a health care power of attorney. Without it, you would be unable to communicate with healthcare professionals and insurance companies, as well as access your child’s health records and previous treatment information.
3. Durable Power of Attorney (Finances and Property)
Similar to a health care power of attorney, a financial power of attorney gives you the ability to make financial decisions on your child’s behalf, should they be unable to do so themselves. Should your child become disabled for any reason, then you would still be able to access bank accounts and financial records, as well as manage any loans your child may have.
Every year, roughly a quarter of a million young adults between the ages of 18-25 wind up in the hospital. From alcohol poisoning and nonlethal accidents to unexpected illnesses, it’s important for you prepare for the worst. Once a child reaches the age of 18, a parent’s decision-making role is significantly diminished, especially in regards to making healthcare decisions.
Should your child get in a car accident, or fall ill and not be capable of making their own medical decisions, then without a durable power of attorney naming the parents as health care agents for the child, the parents cannot make medical decisions on their child’s behalf. If you want to ensure that you can continue to make healthcare decisions for your child, a health care power of attorney should be at the top of your to-do list.
2. HIPAA Authorization
In order to make informed medical decisions, it’s important to include a HIPAA authorization form along with a health care power of attorney. Without it, you would be unable to communicate with healthcare professionals and insurance companies, as well as access your child’s health records and previous treatment information.
3. Durable Power of Attorney (Finances and Property)
Similar to a health care power of attorney, a financial power of attorney gives you the ability to make financial decisions on your child’s behalf, should they be unable to do so themselves. Should your child become disabled for any reason, then you would still be able to access bank accounts and financial records, as well as manage any loans your child may have.