Sending your child off to college is an exciting milestone, but it also comes with important legal considerations. Once your child turns 18, they are legally an adult, which means you no longer have automatic access to their medical or financial information.
To ensure you can assist them in an emergency, it’s crucial to have these two essential legal documents in place:
#1 Advance Medical Directive (“Living Will” in Georgia)
This document allows your child to designate a medical agent in case of an emergency or temporary incapacity. Ideally, you would be named as the agent so that medical professionals can contact you immediately if necessary.
Why is this important?
☑ Once your child turns 18, you no longer have automatic access to their medical records or decision-making authority in case of an emergency.
☑ Without this document, if your child experiences an accident or serious illness, doctors may not be able to share information with you due to medical privacy laws (HIPAA).
☑ If your child has changed their residence and no longer lives in Georgia, this document should comply with the laws of the state where they currently reside.
#2 General Power of Attorney
This document grants you legal authority to manage certain financial and administrative matters on behalf of your child.
Why is this useful?
☑ You will be able to access bank accounts, pay bills, or handle financial issues if your child needs assistance.
☑ If your child studies in another city or country, you can help them without requiring their physical presence.
☑ Your child may delegate common tasks, such as:
“Mom, can you go to the bank and authorize a transaction for me?”
“Dad, can you open a bank account in my name?”
Continue Protecting Your Child Even After They Turn 18
These documents provide peace of mind and ensure that you can continue protecting and assisting your child, even though they are now legally an adult. If you haven’t prepared these documents yet, now is the perfect time to do so before they leave for college.
At our firm, we specialize in estate planning and can help draft these documents according to the laws of the appropriate state. Contact us today to ensure your child is legally protected!