07/17/2024
It's that time of year again....
Do you have an adult (18 or over) child going off to college in the next month or so? Consider having him or her sign Healthcare and Property Powers of Attorney before leaving. In the eyes of the law, if your child has turned 18, he or she is an adult and not considered to be under your agency, whether for financial or medical matters.
A Healthcare Power of Attorney would allow your college student to name you, the parent, as agent (and name one or more successor agents) in order to make health-care related decisions on his or her behalf in the event of your college student’s incapacity. It also includes Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1986 (HIPAA) release language in order to authorize the release of your child’s medical information during treatment.
A Power of Attorney for Property would allow your college student to name you, the parent, as agent (and name one or more successor agents) in order to handle financial matters on his or her behalf in the event of your college student’s incapacity (e.g., pay bills, access accounts, enter into or break a lease, sign and file tax returns, etc.). In addition, the agent could be specifically authorized to obtain any and all information on your college student’s behalf from any college or university, including but not limited to grades, attendance records, academic records, disciplinary records, and financial records.
If you would like an attorney at FMS Law Group to prepare Healthcare and Property Powers of Attorney for your college student, please have him or her contact us at [email protected] or (312) 332-6381, ext. 102.
