Your Child Is Heading to College: What Changes When They Turn 18?

Sending a child off to college is a major milestone for any family. Between packing dorm rooms, buying textbooks, and preparing for a new chapter, legal documents may not be at the top of your list. But when your child turns 18, an important legal change takes place: they become an adult in the eyes of the law.

That means parents may no longer have the same automatic authority to access information or make certain decisions on their child’s behalf. A few simple estate planning documents can help your family prepare for the unexpected.

Turning 18 Changes More Than You Think

Once your child reaches 18, they are legally responsible for their own financial, medical, and legal decisions. Even though you are still their parent, you may not automatically be able to step in if they become seriously ill, are involved in an accident, or need help managing important financial matters.

For families with college students living away from home, this can create unexpected challenges. Having the right documents in place can give your student control over who can help them when necessary—and give parents peace of mind.

Healthcare Power of Attorney

A healthcare power of attorney allows your adult child to designate someone they trust to make medical decisions on their behalf if they are unable to do so.

Without this document, parents may face uncertainty about whether they can participate in medical decisions or access information about their child’s care. Having a designated healthcare agent can provide clear direction during an already stressful situation.

HIPAA Authorization

Federal privacy laws generally protect a person’s medical information once they turn 18. A HIPAA authorization allows your child to give specific people permission to receive certain protected health information.

This can be particularly important if a medical emergency occurs while your student is away at school.

Durable Financial Power of Attorney

A durable financial power of attorney allows your child to name someone who can handle certain financial or legal matters on their behalf.

This could become helpful if your student is temporarily unable to manage their finances because of an accident, illness, or other unexpected circumstance. The document can be tailored to your child’s specific needs and wishes.

What About a Will?

A Will may not seem necessary for a young college student, but adulthood brings new responsibilities and assets. Your child may have a bank account, vehicle, personal property, investments, or other assets they want handled according to their wishes.

Creating a basic estate plan can also encourage your child to begin thinking about financial and legal responsibility as they enter adulthood.

Start This New Chapter Prepared

Turning 18 is an exciting milestone, but it also comes with important legal responsibilities. Having healthcare and financial powers of attorney, a HIPAA authorization, and a Will when appropriate can help your family navigate unexpected situations with greater clarity.

Help Your College Student Start Prepared

At Gary Crews Law, we help families understand the legal changes that come with a child turning 18 and identify the documents that may be appropriate for their circumstances. If your student is heading off to college, contact our team to discuss putting the right protections in place before they begin this exciting new chapter.