If you're the parent of a high school graduate or child on their way to college, you should know about certain estate planning tools your children need once they reach age 18. Without certain documents in place, you can be denied access to medical and financial information you might need to help your child. The following guide outlines three legal documents every young adult should have. 

Medical Power of Attorney

When your child names you in a medical power of attorney (POA), they give you the authority to receive information about them if a medical emergency occurs at home or away at college. The medical POA allows hospitals to release personal information to you as your child's designated agent or attorney-in-fact, and in some instances, to act on their behalf. Without this estate planning document, the hospital could refuse to communicate with you because your child is an adult. In Missouri, this document is called the Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care.   

HIPAA Privacy Authorization 

Along with the Durable POA for Health Care, adult children need another document, required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Missouri calls this estate planning document the HIPAA Privacy Authorization Form. This form allows doctors and hospitals to release information to you about your child's past and present medical records, treatment, and prescriptions. Receiving the information enables you to make informed medical decisions for your child if they are incapacitated in some way.

Durable POA

If your adult child grants you a durable POA, you are authorized to handle legal or financial matters for them. For example, if a child is employed and is traveling or in the hospital, you would have the authority to deposit checks or pay bills from their financial accounts or sign a lease for them. Like the health care POA, when this POA is durable, it has a legal effect if your child is mentally incapacitated. 

To ensure your children over age 18 are covered with properly drafted health and financial POA documents, turn to the Law Office of Kevin A. Green LLC. Offering over 20 years of experience, attorney Green serves clients throughout St. Louis, MO. Clients receive wise counsel and effective representation in estate planning, including wills and trusts. Visit the website for a complete list of services, or call (314) 376-4557 to schedule a consultation.