Your 18-year-old child who is heading off to college is legally considered an adult in Illinois and capable of making his or her own medical, financial and legal decisions. Not only do you not have access to their credit card statements, bank account or school records, you also are not authorized to view their medical information or make healthcare decisions if they become ill or incapacitated. An experienced estate planning attorney can help you prepare legal documents to protect your college student after they turn 18 and are away at school.
1. Durable Power of Attorney
A durable power of attorney lasts indefinitely. In most cases, a durable power of attorney (DPOA) is used to allow the designated person – such as a parent – to handle affairs in a specific area of a person’s life, such as in financial or health matters if you become incapacitated.
2. HIPAA Authorization
A signed Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) authorization by your adult child naming you as an authorized party gives you the ability to see your child’s medical records and receive information from healthcare practitioners about your over-18 child’s health status, progress, and treatment in the event they are unconscious or incapacitated.
Read More: 5 Legal Documents to Protect Your Adult Child
Part of parenting is teaching your young adult child how to plan for their future, and protect themselves from unpleasant realities. As your young adult child transitions to full adulthood and independence, you can continue to protect their best interests and look out for their welfare in case of an emergency. An experienced estate planning attorney can advise you on how to create legal documents that will protect your adult child now and in the future.
Protecting your family and providing peace of mind for your family members can be achieved with expert guidance from the estate planning attorneys at Estate & Probate Legal Group in Illinois today at 630-864-5835.