Preparing for College

Once your child reaches their 18th birthday, they are legally an adult and you as their parents will suddenly no longer have authority to speak with your child’s doctors, access their health or financial records, and make decisions on their behalf.   Therefore, we have always advocated having your 18 year old execute a POWER OF ATTORNEY and a HEALTH CARE PROXY giving you legal authority to make important decisions for them in the event they become incapacitated or incompetent due to illness or other circumstances.  These documents can appoint a parent as “agent” authorized to make medical decisions and handle financial affairs in the event the adult child is unable to do so for themselves.

Today, sending your child off to a college campus during and after the Covid 19 Pandemic makes executing these documents, as well as a HIPAA authorization form, even more important.  So, along with bed sheets and notebooks, send your college student off with some peace of mind by arranging for execution of a POWER OF ATTORNEY and HEALTH CARE PROXY. 

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. All information posted is general advice only, based upon the rules of NYS, and is not intended to be a substitute for personal legal advice. Although information provided here was accurate as of the date of posting, laws change frequently and rules in other jurisdictions may differ. Therefore, readers should not rely upon these postings but should consult an attorney to discuss their specific factual situation.