As your College-bound children are about to head out the door…

To the surprise of parents...

Parents and guardians will no longer be able to view medical records, make choices about a child's care, or get admission information from hospitals once the child has become a legal adult.

Parents will be unable to assist their children with medical or financial decisions unless they take a few simple planning steps. Here are the documents everyone over the age of 18 should sign:

A Health Care Proxy and HIPAA Release and Durable Power of Attorney

For those over the age of 18, a Health Care Proxy and HIPAA Release are required in order to receive medical information and make medical decisions.

The Power of Attorney is also important, especially

A durable power of attorney will give unlimited access to a student’s college records and admission documents.

While Estate Planning may sound unnecessary for a college-age adult, these documents provide peace of mind for the parents and guardians…it’s also another reminder for your child that you still have their back… even if they are far, far away.