I wanted to share something important that often goes unnoticed during the excitement of a child turning 18 — a milestone that brings newfound independence.
Did you know that once a child turns 18, parents and guardians no longer have automatic access to their medical, financial, and academic records? It’s a significant shift, but having the right legal documents in place can help ensure parents or guardians can still provide support when it’s needed most.
Here are four essential documents for parents or guardians to consider:
- Durable Power of Attorney – Allows you to handle your child’s financial matters if they’re unable to, ensuring bills can be paid and critical decisions can be made.
- Medical Power of Attorney – Empowers you to make health care decisions on your child’s behalf in case of illness or injury, saving time and avoiding legal hurdles.
- HIPAA Authorization – Grants you access to your child’s medical records and the ability to communicate with their health care providers.
- FERPA Waiver – Provides access to educational records, such as grades and test results, should you need to assist with academic matters.
Since legal requirements vary by location, it’s crucial to determine the specific rules where you and your child reside (or where your child plans to reside in the immediate future, if it’s in a different state). I’m happy to walk through all of this with you if you have questions. Feel free to reach out anytime.