As you help your child prepare for college, choosing dorm supplies, setting up meal plans, mapping out class schedules, one critical step often slips through the cracks, and it has nothing to do with academics.
When your child turns 18, they become a legal adult. That means even if you’re paying tuition, covering health insurance, and footing the bill for living expenses, you generally no longer have the legal authority to make healthcare or financial decisions on their behalf, or even access certain information, without the proper legal documents in place. For students heading off to college, especially those with disabilities or ongoing medical needs, these documents aren’t just nice to have. They can be invaluable.
Here are three documents every college-bound family should consider.
Healthcare Power of Attorney
A Healthcare Power of Attorney allows your student to designate someone they trust, often a parent, to make medical decisions on their behalf if they become unable to do so themselves.
Without one, you could find yourself shut out of conversations with doctors or unable to participate in critical healthcare decisions during an emergency, even when your child is just a phone call away from campus.
HIPAA Authorization
A HIPAA Authorization permits healthcare providers to share your student’s medical information with the people they designate.
Without this document, federal privacy laws may prevent you from learning anything about your adult child’s medical condition, even in situations where your student would absolutely want you involved.
Durable Financial Power of Attorney
A Durable Financial Power of Attorney authorizes a trusted person to step in and handle financial matters on your student’s behalf when needed.
Depending on how it’s drafted, it may allow that person to:
- Manage bank accounts
- Sign financial documents
- Handle insurance matters
- Address government benefits
- Assist with housing or other financial obligations
This can be particularly helpful if your student experiences a medical emergency or temporary incapacity while away at school, situations where time-sensitive financial decisions can’t wait.
A Little Preparation Goes a Long Way
None of these documents require a crisis to be useful, but all of them can make a difficult situation far more manageable if one arises. Taking care of them before move-in day gives your family the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re prepared, no matter what college life brings.
Our Education and Elder Law attorneys are available to answer any questions you may have.