College-Age Planning
Estate Planning for College-Age Children in Washington
When your child turns 18, you lose legal authority over their health care and finances. A few simple documents fix that.
The 18th Birthday Problem
The day your child turns 18, they become a legal adult. That means you can no longer access their medical records, make health care decisions for them, or manage their finances, even in an emergency. If your 19-year-old is in a car accident at college, the hospital is not legally required to share information with you or let you make treatment decisions. This catches many parents off guard.
Documents Every College Student Should Have
- HIPAA Authorization, which allows you to access your child's medical records and speak with their doctors
- Medical Power of Attorney, which names you, or someone your child trusts, as their health care decision-maker if they are incapacitated
- Financial Power of Attorney, which allows you to manage financial matters on their behalf if needed, such as tuition payments, bank accounts and lease issues
- Living Will and Advance Directive, which documents your child's preferences for medical treatment in serious situations
Why This Matters More Than You Think
Most parents assume they will always be able to step in during an emergency. But legally, that changes at 18. A medical power of attorney and HIPAA release take about 15 minutes to discuss and cost very little to add to your estate plan, but they can make an enormous difference when seconds count.
Common Scenarios
Your child is studying abroad and gets sick. Your college freshman has a mental health crisis and you need to communicate with their treatment team. Your 20-year-old is in a car accident in another state. In all of these situations, having the right documents in place means you can act immediately instead of fighting through legal barriers during a crisis.
Adding This to Your Estate Plan
College-age planning is often added as part of a parent's estate plan update. When you create or update your will or trust, we will discuss documents for your young adult children at the same time. It is a natural extension of the planning you are already doing for your family.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most college students do not need a will, because they typically do not have significant assets. But a medical power of attorney, HIPAA authorization, and basic advance directive are genuinely important once they turn 18.
An emergency contact is not the same as having legal authority. A hospital will call your emergency contact, but they are not required to share medical information or let you make decisions without proper legal documentation.
Powers of attorney and HIPAA authorizations generally work across state lines, though practices vary by institution. Having these documents in place puts you in a much stronger position regardless of where your child is.
Powers of attorney remain valid until revoked. As your child gets older and more independent, they may want to update who is named as their agent, but the documents do not expire automatically.
Yes. As a legal adult, your child can revoke any of these documents at any time. These are voluntary authorizations. Your child is choosing to give you access, not being compelled.
Get the Right Documents in Place
Book a virtual consultation to sort this out before the next semester starts.
Request a Consultation