Important Legal Papers You And Your College Bound Kids Need

When sending a kid to college, do legal papers come to mind?

At this time, the last things you might be thinking about are legal matters or the legal papers that might become necessary.

Are you sending your first child off to college this fall?

If your child is 18 and heading back to college, remember—they are legally an adult. That means you no longer have automatic authority to make decisions or access information on their behalf.

Consider what could happen in an emergency. If your child is seriously injured or hospitalized, you may not be able to get updates or make decisions without proper legal documents in place. Hospitals and schools must follow privacy laws.

These documents must be completed before your child leaves for school. Ideally, you and your child should each keep copies, and the school should have one on file as well.

The following are the three important documents you’ll want to review and fill out with your child before they leave for school.

1. Legal Forms and College Kids – the HIPAA Form

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) strictly protects patient privacy. Without authorization, hospitals may not share medical information—even with parents.

A HIPAA authorization form allows your child to name who can receive updates. This can include parents, family members, or trusted friends.

Complete this document before your child leaves for school. It ensures you can stay informed in an emergency.

2. College Age Kids Legal Forms – Medical Power of Attorney

A medical or healthcare power of attorney names you, the parent, as your college student’s medical agent. If your child becomes incapacitated, you can make informed healthcare decisions on their behalf.

This document can also designate you as the primary point of contact with doctors. It allows you to work directly with medical providers to determine the best course of care.

Without this document, doctors may make critical decisions without your input.

3. Financial Power of Attorney (a.k.a. General Durable Power of Attorney) for College-Age Kids

A medical power of attorney covers healthcare decisions if your child becomes incapacitated. A financial power of attorney covers financial and legal matters.

With a financial power of attorney, your college student can authorize you to act on their behalf. This allows you to manage bank accounts, pay bills, file taxes, apply for benefits, and handle contracts like a lease.

Having both documents in place ensures you can step in when needed.

Do your homework about these necessary legal forms for adult-age college kids before your child heads off to college.

Of course, the goal is that you never need to use these documents. In the best-case scenario, your child goes to college, thrives, and stays safe. That’s what happens most of the time.

But if something unexpected occurs, you want to be prepared. Having the right documents in place ensures you can step in and make the best decisions for your child.

If your child is heading off to college, give us a call. We’ll help you get everything completed, signed, and ready—so you can send them off with confidence and peace of mind.

   

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