Young Adults Need Planning Too

Healthcare Information & Decision-Making

At 18, medical information becomes private by law. Federal rules like HIPAA stop doctors and hospitals from sharing information with anyone who hasn’t been given specific access, even parents.

That means you may not learn your child is in the hospital, or get to discuss their condition with a doctor.

An Appointment of Healthcare Representative with a HIPAA Waiver fixes this. It lets you speak to medical professionals and make decisions if your child can’t communicate for themselves.

Financial Information & Authority

Once your child turns 18, banks and insurance companies treat them as a separate legal adult.

Without a Power of Attorney in place, they can bar you from managing accounts or even answering basic questions. This surprises a lot of parents.

A General Durable Power of Attorney solves it.

It lets an appointed agent handle banking, property, insurance, leases, and retirement accounts when needed.

Education & Financial Aid Records

If your child heads off to college, you might assume you still have access to their records. Especially if you’re paying tuition, you may expect this. Yet, you don’t.

The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) transfers those rights to the student the moment they turn 18. As a result, that limits your ability to see grades, confirm enrollment, or help with FAFSA.

A FERPA Waiver changes that. It lets you access education and financial aid information as long as your child stays a dependent. Moreover, it renews each year.