Protect Your Adult Child with a Healthcare Proxy and Durable Power of Attorney
Healthcare Proxy for Adult Children
Ensuring your adult child has essential legal documents is crucial. Many parents overlook the importance of a healthcare proxy and durable power of attorney for their 18-year-olds. Our law firm helps you safeguard your child’s rights and your ability to assist them in emergencies.
Why Your Adult Child Needs a Healthcare Proxy and Durable Power of Attorney
When your child turns 18, they gain new legal rights and protections under federal and state laws. Without proper legal documents, you cannot make decisions or access their information in an emergency. Healthcare proxies and durable powers of attorney are vital for avoiding these obstacles.
Healthcare Proxy: Ensuring Medical Decision-Making Authority
A healthcare proxy allows your child to appoint a trusted individual as their health care agent. This agent can make medical decisions on their behalf if they cannot do so themselves. Once your child turns 18, you lose automatic access to their medical information due to privacy laws. Without a healthcare proxy, hospitals may refuse to share information with you.
Every adult should sign a healthcare proxy. This document names a health care agent who can access your child’s medical information and make critical decisions. The chosen agent should be someone your child trusts, who can act decisively in a medical emergency. Typically, healthcare proxies should be updated every three to five years.
Durable Power of Attorney: Managing Financial Decisions
A durable power of attorney enables your child to appoint an attorney-in-fact to manage their financial matters if they become incapacitated. This document is crucial even if your child has not yet accumulated significant assets. For instance, if your child is studying abroad and you need to handle financial aid paperwork or file their taxes, a durable power of attorney allows you to act on their behalf.
Encourage your child to sign a durable power of attorney to avoid court-appointed conservatorship in case of incapacity. Like the healthcare proxy, it should be updated every three to five years.
Additional Considerations
If your child has assets, drafting a will is also advisable. It ensures their wishes are followed regarding asset distribution.
Conclusion
Millions of children turn 18 each year in the United States. Ensure your child signs a healthcare proxy and durable power of attorney to protect their rights and your ability to assist them. Contact our law firm today to schedule a consultation and secure your peace of mind.
Contact Us Now
Don’t wait for an emergency to realize you need these critical documents. Call our law firm today to ensure your adult child’s legal protection and your ability to help when it matters most.
CLICK HERE to learn more about drafting a healthcare proxy
CLICK HERE to learn more about drafting a will
