Teenagers and Estate Planning
Presented By
Michelle-Shari Kruss, Attorney at Law
(503) 490-4020
Parents do not stop worrying about their kids when they turn 18. However, our legal ability to weigh in on our children’s medical care and financial needs ends on their 18th birthday when they becomes adults in the eyes of the law. This means that while we have the final word about medical care one day, the next day we might not even have access to our children’s medical or academic records.
Unexpected and significant problems can arise if your young adult is injured in an accident or is otherwise incapacitated. No one thinks about estate planning for someone who has just turned 18, but unless you put into place some basic proactive planning documents for your newly minted adult, you may need to deal with complex legal issues and hurdles if your son or daughter becomes sick or injured.
These documents will give you the legal authority to be there for your children in a time of need, even when your child is officially considered as an adult in the eyes of the law.
- A HIPAA Authorization Form
- A Health Care Directive
- A Durable Power of Attorney
- FERPA
If your child is college bound and/or celebrating their eighteenth (18th) birthday PLEASE, protect their health and finances with proper legal power(s) of attorney(s).
Other Resources: http://www.forbes.com/sites/deborahljacobs/2014/08/15/two-documents-every-18-year-old-should-sign/