I was listening to the radio this past week and heard an interesting conversation about how parents don’t realize the HUGE legal significance of their child turning 18. With all the busy college planning, shopping, and Amazon wish list making, this is something that sometimes goes by the wayside.
There are three very important documents that parents should be sure are complete before moving their young adult into college:
- A HIPAA release form- this gives parents access to medical information and records for their child.
- A Healthcare Power of Attorney- not only will this document give parents the rights to make medical decisions about their child in the event they are unable to make those decisions for themselves; it also covers organ donation and health care directives.
- A Durable Power of Attorney- gives rights for financial and legal decisions if your child is unable to make those decisions for him/herself.
This website, https://positivelysquaredaway.com/3-important-to-dos-when-your-child-turns-18/, does a GREAT job of explaining the why’s of the importance of these documents. They also cover Selective Service registration and registering to vote.
Mama Bear legal forms, https://mamabearlegalforms.com/, looks to be one of the most popular places online to get these forms completed.
While this may seem like another item on the “to-do” list, it definitely is one that you will wish you had done when and if the time comes and you need these forms.
That's So Fletch 
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