In the United States, as soon as a minor turns 18, they’re typically considered a legal adult. As a result, parents no longer have any authority to make decisions for their child, including financial and health care decisions. But the college will make sure you get the bills! Yahoo’s recent article entitled “Don’t Let Your Child Leave for College Without Signing Three Critical Documents” asks what if your adult child becomes sick or is in an accident and ends up hospitalized? You need to consider the legal documents needed for your college student, according to Beck, Lenox & Stolzer Estate Planning and Elder Law. Why is that important?
Because of privacy laws, known as Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), you wouldn’t have any rights to get any information from the hospital regarding your child’s condition. Yes, we know you’re her mother. However, that’s the law!
You also wouldn’t have the ability to access his or her medical records or intercede on your child’s behalf regarding medical treatment and care.
If your child’s unable to communicate with doctors, you’d also have to ask a judge to appoint you as your child’s guardian before being able to be told of his or her condition and to make any healthcare decisions for them. Not only does that take time, it can be costly.
While this is hard when your child is still living at home, it’s a huge headache if your child is attending college away from home.
Ask an experienced estate planning attorney, like Jayson Lenox at Beck, Lenox & Stolzer, about drafting three legal documents needed for your college student to sign:
- A Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA) for Health Care. This document designates the parent as your child’s patient advocate.
- A HIPAA Authorization gives you access to your child’s medical records and lets you to discuss his or her health condition with doctors.
- A DPOA for Financial Matters, designates the parent as your child’s agent, so that you can manage your child’s financial affairs, including things like banking and bill paying, in case your child becomes sick or injured, or is unable to act for any reason.
Here is a video Mr. Lenox had created on the topic. Please note that a HIPAA document is typically included with the other two documents. Jay’s Video
Reference: Yahoo (Aug. 2, 2022) “Don’t Let Your Child Leave for College Without Signing Three Critical Documents”
