As your teen heads off to college, have you considered the legal documents they might need? Many parents don’t realize that once a child turns 18, access to essential information—like medical and financial records—changes.
At Huizenga Law Firm, P.C., we help Iowa families prepare for these moments, ensuring peace of mind.
Once your child turns 18, they’re legally an adult. This means parents can’t automatically make decisions for them. Having the right documents on file makes it easier to provide support in emergencies.
Essential Documents
As your child steps into adulthood, these documents ensure you can support them in crucial ways:
- General Durable Power of Attorney: Gives you the ability to manage your child’s finances if they’re unable to do so themselves, ensuring bills and obligations are covered.
- Health Care Power of Attorney: Authorizes you to make medical decisions on their behalf if they’re incapacitated, allowing you to advocate for their health and well-being.
- HIPAA Authorization: Permits you to access their medical information, keeping you informed during health situations and enabling you to support them effectively.
- FERPA Release: Provides access to their educational records, allowing you to stay connected and assist with their academic journey when needed.
Additional Considerations
For added peace of mind consider these essential documents:
- Advance Directive: An Advance Directive, or Living Will, allows your student to specify their healthcare preferences in extreme situations such as a persistent vegetative condition, ensuring their wishes are clear to healthcare providers and family.
- Will: A Will enables your student to designate how any assets or personal belongings should be distributed, providing guidance and preventing potential conflicts.
- Out-of-State Provisions: If studying outside Iowa, verify that their documents include provisions to be legally valid in other states, reducing potential issues across state lines.
Let’s Get Started
Huizenga Law Firm, P.C. is here to guide you through the process, so you can support your college-bound teen every step of the way. Call us at 712-737-3885 to schedule a consultation.