Getting ready to send a child to college is exciting—and busy. Between packing lists, tuition payments, housing, and class schedules, it is easy to overlook one important issue: once your child turns 18, they are legally an adult. That means that even if you are paying tuition, carrying health insurance, or providing financial support, doctors, colleges, banks, and billing offices may not be able to speak with you without your child’s permission. A few simple legal documents can make it much easier to help if an emergency or urgent issue arises.
Financial Power of Attorney
A financial power of attorney lets your child choose someone to help with financial or administrative matters. Your child remains in control, but a trusted person can assist when an issue is time-sensitive or difficult to handle from campus. This can help with practical issues such as tuition payments, student loan forms, lease questions, banking problems, or billing concerns. Without authorization, an institution may refuse to speak with you even if you are paying the bill.
Healthcare Power of Attorney a/k/a Health Care Proxy
A healthcare power of attorney, sometimes called a health care proxy, lets your child name a trusted person to make medical decisions if they cannot do so. It also helps medical providers know who is authorized to receive information and speak on your child’s behalf. This can be especially helpful if your child is ill, injured, medicated, or overwhelmed and a doctor needs to discuss treatment, discharge instructions, or follow-up care.
Advance Healthcare Directive
An advance healthcare directive lets your child put important medical wishes in writing in case they cannot make or communicate decisions. It can also give guidance to the person helping make decisions during a medical crisis. If something unexpected happens, this document can help make sure your child’s wishes are known and that the right person has authority to step in and help.
Plan Ahead
These documents are easiest to put in place before there is a problem. Adding them to your college-preparation checklist can give both parents and students extra peace of mind. Before your child leaves for college, consider speaking with an experienced estate planning attorney about which documents make sense for your family. A little planning now can make it easier to support your child when it matters.
Questions
If you have questions about this advisory or any trust and estate matter, please contact Jason R. Johns at [email protected] or another Meyer, Unkovic & Scott attorney with whom you have worked. For a full list of the Private Clients/Trusts & Estates Group, please click here.
Meyer, Unkovic & Scott’s Private Clients Group assists individuals and families with the accumulation, management, transfer, and protection of personal wealth. We are one of the few Western Pennsylvania-based law firms with a sophisticated business practice and a fully diversified practice accommodating private clients. Our resources allow us to provide comprehensive service to meet all of our clients’ personal needs. We are also qualified to handle complex estate disputes and disputed fiduciary matters.
