Summer is all about barbeques, summer camps, long days and evenings and getting out and enjoying the beauty that is so unique to the Pacific Northwest. I also know a lot of families that are preparing to send their child off to college for the first time. Something that often gets overlooked is the fact that once a child turns 18, he or she is considered to be an adult and parents no longer have the automatic right to make decisions, sign documents and access health records that they did when their child was a minor. I know from talking to clients how easy it is to forget that 18 year olds are adults in the eyes of the law.
If you are out shopping for dorm supplies and filling out college paperwork this summer, there’s something else you should add to your list (I know, I’m sure it’s already long): having a Power of Attorney prepared for your child so that if anything happened, you would be able to immediately step in and have access to health records, speak to doctors, make health related decisions and also assist your child in any other legal way necessary.
What is a Power of Attorney? In Washington, a Durable Power of Attorney allows you to name someone else to make important health and financial/legal decisions in the event that you are alive but not capable of making decisions for yourself. When your child is still a young adult, attending college, perhaps needing help with banking, paying bills and other matters from you, a Durable Power of Attorney is probably going to be necessary to allow you to help. If your child has a medical situation arise, you want to be able to immediately get involved, have access to his or her medical information, make treatment decisions, etc. and you won’t want to be turned away because you don’t have the proper documentation.
These documents can be revoked or terminated at any time by your child as they get older, but in the meantime, it could mean peace of mind and the ability to smoothly handle any situation that arises. If you have any questions about powers of attorney or you would like us to help you put one in place, we are happy to discuss.
