Learn How To Legally Protect Your College Student
As parents, sending your child to college is a rewarding experience. It’s finally time to separate from them and let them grow!
But did you know that when a child turns eighteen (18) a parent loses their ability to access their child’s medical record and make medical or financial decisions on their behalf? It’s true.
Without the right documents properly signed, this can really hinder a parent’s ability to act in an emergency or worse…
Basic Estate Planning for College Students Will Protect You If The Unimaginable Happens
In a scenario when a child gets in an accident, a parent may not be notified unless the family has gone through the right steps.
With documents such as a universal HIPAA Release, your child can choose to allow their physicians and other medical providers to release protected medical records to you.
Along with this, a Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare and a Durable Power of Attorney for Finances will allow a parent to make medical and financial decisions for their children in the event they are incapacitated or unable to do so.
Depending on the state in which you live, these will need to be notarized or signed by disinterested witnesses.
Without these documents, you could be left in the dark about your child’s health. Many colleges do not provide these documents and it’s often left up to the family to figure it out for themselves.
Where Can You Get These Estate Planning Documents
Many of these forms will not be included in a college packet but can usually be found at the student health clinic, like the Release of Medical Information form found here at the University of Arkansas’ webpage.
Other places such as The National Hospice Center and Palliative Care also offer some FREE state-specific advance directives.
For those of you that want total assurance and peace of mind, our firm is here to help prepare these documents on behalf of your child.
***From now until the end of the month, we’re running a limited-time special where we’ll do a college student’s Power of Attorney documents FREE when their parents establish or upgrade their Trust or Will package with us! ($600 Value!)***
Reach out to us to ask for more information!