What legal documents should my young adult child have?

Once your child turns eighteen years old, you will not have the legal right to speak for your child, make decisions for them or act on their behalf in an emergency. Your child, however, can delegate authority to you through the following legal documents:

A Durable Power of Attorney would authorize you to manage your child’s finances if they are unable to do so. This includes paying their bills, managing bank accounts, and handling other financial responsibilities, such as talking with the financial aid office.

An Advanced Health Care Directive would allow you to make healthcare decisions for your child if he or she becomes incapacitated.

A HIPAA Authorization would allow you to have access to your child’s medical records and to speak with your child’s doctors.

Without proper documentation, parents could face significant hurdles when dealing with a medical emergency, accident or other unexpected situation. Having these documents in place can provide peace of mind knowing that you can act on your child’s behalf if necessary.

Want to learn more? Book a Peace of Mind Planning Session with a Bergman & Lee attorney HERE.