When a child turns 18, parents lose the legal authority to make decisions on their behalf — even if that child is still in high school or about to head off to college as a dependent.
Many parents are surprised to learn that once their child becomes a legal adult, they can no longer access their child's medical records, speak with doctors in an emergency, or make financial decisions for them without proper documentation in place.
What Every Family Should Have Before College
A Health Care Proxy. This document allows your child to designate you (or another trusted adult) to make medical decisions on their behalf if they become unable to do so themselves.
A HIPAA Authorization. Without this, healthcare providers cannot legally share your child's medical information with you — even in an emergency.
A Durable Power of Attorney. This allows you to manage your child's financial and legal affairs, such as signing documents, handling bank accounts, or dealing with a landlord, if they are unavailable or incapacitated.
Why This Matters
Every year, parents are caught off guard when a college-age child is injured or hospitalized and they are told they have no legal right to information or decision-making authority. These documents are inexpensive, straightforward to execute, and can prevent significant stress during an already difficult time.
Getting Started
The Law Offices of Tracy R. Field PLLC helps New York families put these documents in place before the school year begins. Contact us to schedule a consultation for your family.
