As a parent, you’ve prepared your child for college by helping them choose classes, shop for dorm essentials, and maybe even master the art of doing laundry. But there’s one crucial step many families overlook: ensuring your college-aged child has the right estate planning documents in place.

While estate planning might not seem necessary for a healthy young adult, it’s an essential part of being responsible and prepared for the unexpected. Without these documents, you could face unnecessary complications and heartache in a crisis. Here’s why you should act now to safeguard your child’s future and protect their well-being.

Why Estate Planning is Crucial for Young Adults

The moment your child turns 18, they become a legal adult in the eyes of the law. This milestone means parents no longer have automatic access to their child’s medical, financial, or academic records—even in an emergency.

Imagine your child is in an accident and unable to communicate their medical preferences, or you need to access their bank account to manage bills while they recover. Without the right legal documents, your hands could be tied at a critical time.

Taking proactive steps to create an estate plan for your young adult ensures you can step in and make decisions when they need you most.

Essential Documents Every College Student Needs

Here are the key estate planning documents your college-aged child should have:

1. Healthcare Power of Attorney

A Healthcare Power of Attorney (HCPOA) allows your child to designate someone (often a parent) to make medical decisions on their behalf if they are unable to do so.

Why It’s Important:

• Without an HCPOA, doctors may not share your child’s medical information with you due to HIPAA regulations.
• In a medical emergency, this document ensures that someone your child trusts can make critical decisions about their care.

2. HIPAA Authorization

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) protects your child’s private medical information. A HIPAA authorization gives you permission to access their medical records.

Why It’s Important:

• If your child is hospitalized or undergoing treatment, you’ll need this document to stay informed about their condition.
• Without it, healthcare providers may refuse to share essential details about your child’s care.

3. Financial Power of Attorney

A Financial Power of Attorney (FPOA) gives someone authority to manage your child’s financial affairs, including accessing bank accounts, paying bills, and handling student loans or leases.

Why It’s Important:

• In the event of an accident or prolonged absence, someone must manage your child’s financial responsibilities.
• This document ensures that bills are paid and accounts are managed without delays or complications.

4. Living Will

A Living Will outlines your child’s preferences for end-of-life care, including decisions about life-sustaining treatments and organ donation.

Why It’s Important:

• While it’s hard to think about, a living will ensures your child’s wishes are respected in a worst-case scenario.
• It spares your family from having to make emotionally charged decisions during a difficult time.

5. FERPA Authorization

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) limits access to a student’s academic records without their consent. A FERPA authorization allows you to view grades, tuition information, and other academic records.

Why It’s Important:

• If your child encounters issues with enrollment, tuition, or academic performance, this document ensures you can assist.
• It keeps you informed about their progress and allows you to step in if needed.

Preparedness is Important

Estate planning for young adults isn’t just about preparing for worst-case scenarios—it’s about ensuring safety, responsibility, and peace of mind.

1. Emergencies Happen

Accidents and illnesses are unpredictable. Without the proper documents, you could face significant legal barriers when your child needs your help the most.

2. Protect Their Independence While Providing Support

These documents allow young adults to maintain their independence while giving parents the legal tools to step in when necessary.

3. Be Prepared, Not Reactive

Taking proactive steps now can prevent unnecessary stress and delays during a crisis. It’s a small investment of time and resources that could make all the difference in an emergency.

How to Get Started

At Ohio Heritage Law, we specialize in helping families create estate plans tailored to their unique needs. Our process is simple and streamlined to ensure your child is protected and your peace of mind is secure.

What We Offer:

• Customized Document Packages: We’ll help you create a healthcare power of attorney, financial power of attorney, living will, and more, all tailored to your family’s needs.
• Expert Guidance: We’ll walk you through each document and explain its importance so you feel confident in your decisions.

Take the First Step Today

Don’t leave your child’s future to chance. Protect their independence and ensure you can act quickly in an emergency by creating an estate plan today.

Contact Ohio Heritage Law to schedule a consultation and learn more about our affordable estate planning packages for college students and young adults. Reach out at (330) 571-4151 or info@ohioheritagelaw.com for more information or to schedule a consultation.

The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Visiting this website or contacting Ohio Heritage Law LLC through this website does not create an attorney-client relationship. You should not act or rely on any information provided without seeking professional legal advice tailored to your specific situation.  Ohio Heritage Law LLC does not accept representation of clients without a formal client engagement agreement. Please do not send any confidential information to Ohio Heritage Law LLC until an attorney-client relationship has been established.