Essential Legal Documents for Your Adult Children
The Estate Planning Team at Estate and Elder Law Advisory PLLC • Sharon, MA Estate Planning and Elder Law Firm
Once your child turns 18, they are legally considered an adult—meaning you, as a parent, no longer have automatic rights to make decisions or access their personal information, even if they’re still on your health insurance or listed as a dependent on your tax return.
If your adult child were to become ill, injured, or temporarily incapacitated, you could face significant delays or even need to go to court to help them—unless the proper legal documents are already in place.
Three Key Documents
Whether your child is remaining in Massachusetts, heading to college in another state, or studying abroad, these three key documents are essential:
- Health Care Proxy (Health Care Power of Attorney): This document allows your child to designate someone—typically a parent or trusted family member—to make medical decisions on their behalf if they are unable to do so.
- HIPAA Authorization: Under federal privacy laws, doctors and hospitals cannot share medical information without written consent. A HIPAA release ensures you can speak to medical providers and access records in an emergency. This is often included with the Health Care Proxy but can also be a separate document.
- Durable Power of Attorney: This grants authority to act on your child’s behalf for financial and legal matters—such as managing bank accounts, signing tax documents, or dealing with housing or tuition issues—if they are unavailable or incapacitated.
Having these documents prepared in advance offers peace of mind and helps avoid court involvement, such as guardianship and conservatorship proceedings, if something unexpected occurs. We make the process simple and affordable for families to ensure their adult children are legally protected.
Contact us today to schedule a planning session for your young adult
Start your estate planning journey with a team that combines legal knowledge with genuine care. At Estate & Elder Law Advisory, PLLC, your future is in capable hands. Book a call with Attorney Artika Angel today and take the first step towards securing your legacy.
