Before you send your child off to college, there are three legal documents that you need to make sure they sign. They are:

• 1. a Medical Power of Attorney; paired with,
• 2. a HIPAA Release
• 3. a Financial Power of Attorney

It may come as a surprise to parents and children alike that a parent needs to have legal authority to act for their “child”, but if the parent is to be the child’s medical and financial decision-maker in the event of an emergency – these documents are critical. In Texas, without these documents, parents don’t have the authority to make health care decisions or financial decisions for their children after they turn 18, and are legally an adult—even if they are paying their college tuition, still have their children on their health insurance and claim them as dependents on their tax returns! So, if your child is in an accident and becomes disabled, even for a short time, without these documents, a parent might be forced to go to court in order to act on their “child’s” behalf.

I have personally encountered many situations and the horror stories that result from clients, friends and colleagues who have had their young adult children involved in accidents, involved in mental health issues, abductions and illnesses. Unfortunately, they have found out the hard way.

One young man in his first year in college (out of state) went to the school clinic for an allergy checkup, and it was discovered that he had a certain type of cancer. When the parents called to talk to the doctor, they were not allowed information regarding their child’s condition, because he was over 18! A lot of anxiety could have been avoided if the young man had signed the medical power of attorney and HIPAA release before leaving home!

AND – even with a Medical Power of Attorney, medical professionals can not provide you information, let you review your adult “Child’s” records or consult with you WITHOUT A HIPAA RELEASE.

WE CAN COMPLETE THESE DOCUMENTS FOR YOUR YOUNG ADULT BEFORE THEY LEAVE!!

ACT NOW!!!!!

We can prepare these documents for your young adult about to leave for school, military or just leaving home.

Call today to talk to us about getting this done!

One young man in his first year in college (out of state) went to the school clinic for an allergy checkup, and it was discovered that he had a certain type of cancer.  When the parents called to talk to the doctor, they were not allowed information regarding their child’s condition, because he was over 18! A lot of anxiety could have been avoided if the young man had signed the medical power of attorney and HIPAA release before leaving home!

AND – even with a Medical Power of Attorney, medical professionals can not provide you information, let you review your adult “Child’s” records or consult with you WITHOUT A HIPAA RELEASE.

WE CAN COMPLETE THESE DOCUMENTS FOR YOUR YOUNG ADULT BEFORE THEY LEAVE!!

ACT NOW!!!!!

We can prepare these documents for your young adult about to leave for school, military or just leaving home.

Call today to talk to us about getting this done!