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Essential Legal Steps to Take When Your Child Turns 18
An 18th birthday is a big milestone. Your child might be finishing high school and preparing for the next chapter. It can be hard to believe they are about to become legal adults.
When your child was a teenager, you could access their medical records and make decisions about their care. You also managed their finances. After your child turns 18, you no longer have the same legal rights to their financial, educational, or medical information. That’s why it’s important to plan ahead and help your child set up an estate plan with two key documents.
You can ensure your ability to assist your child moving forward by putting these two legal documents in place:
- An Advance Healthcare Directive (which includes a medical power of attorney and living will), and
- A Financial Power of Attorney
If your child has a medical emergency and cannot communicate, doctors and other medical staff might not let you make decisions for them. You may have to hire a lawyer and go to court to become your child’s legal guardian. During a crisis, your focus should be on your child, not on legal steps. With a health care proxy and a HIPAA release, your child can choose you or someone else they trust to make medical decisions if they are unable to do so.
Once you are named as your child’s agent in these documents, you will be able to take care of important financial or medical matters for them on their behalf. If your child or grandchild is about to turn 18, talk to your elder law attorney about having them sign these important documents.
To learn more about what to do when your child turns 18 or to discuss additional estate planning options, contact Conti Law at 724-784-0239.
