College move in day is full of excitement, new classes, new friends, and a brand-new chapter for your child. But what parents don’t realize is that when your child turns 18, you lose automatic access to their medical, financial, and academic information. If an emergency happens, you could be left powerless to step in and help. That’s why every parent needs to consider a college legal package before college move in day. With just three essential documents including a Power of Attorney, Health Care Directive, and HIPAA you are prepared to support your child when it matters most.
Do parents need a power of attorney for college students in Georgia?
In Georgia, parents are not able to access health care information or make legal medical decisions for their son or daughter once they turn 18 without the valid executed legal documents. A Power of Attorney for Georgia College Students is a legal document that allows you or another trusted adult to handle financial matters on your child’s behalf. If your child needs help with lease agreements, is traveling abroad and loses access to their bank, you will legally be allowed to step in. This is especially important if your child attends school out of state.
What happens if your college student is in the hospital and you can’t get information or make critical medical decisions?
A Georgia Health Care Directive for college students is a legal document that allows your child to name you or another trusted adult as their agent. In the event of an accident or serious illness you will have authority to act right away. If your child is unconscious after a bad accident, you can immediately make treatment decisions on their behalf.
A HIPAA Release is a legal document that allows healthcare providers to share medical information with you. Even if your child is on your insurance, doctors do not have to legally give you updates on your child’s condition after they turn 18.
These documents are critical to ensure that when your child goes off to college you can legally step in if an emergency arises. Don’t wait until the unexpected happens, get your college package in place before college move in day. If you are divorced, these documents are non-negotiable. Most parents have joint legal custody when the divorce is finalized so the courts have no way of knowing who should be making decisions for the college student in the event of an emergency.
Estate Planning is not just for old people. It is essential to be able to support your college student in the event of illness, accident, or incapacity. Reach out to a Georgia estate attorney who can quickly and affordably provide the protection you need. We will prepare all of the legal documents that parents need before move-in day in Georgia. Located in Lawrenceville, but available to help you throughout the entire state, reach out to Life Well Lived at (678) 272-5785 to protect your child legally once they turn 18 in Georgia.
