Power of Attorney is Important for Young Adults Too
Most people would think medical power of attorney is meant for “old people.” Well, it is not! Little do they know that having one can prevent a nightmare if a health care emergency occurs. Once your child turns 18, they are legal adults, and it becomes essential to have these documents in place. There is nothing worse than your child suffering an accident, while away at college, and their doctors cannot discuss medical information with you or you cannot make lifesaving decisions. We get it; it is not exactly like your teen is thinking about this, that is why you are here.
Caring for your child’s well being does not stop when they move out. Being a parent is making sure they are ready for the real world and are ready to make hard decisions for themselves. While you cannot force your child to draft or sign a power of attorney, you can at least talk with them and give them a possible scenario where these documents can save their life. Serious situations can escalate into an unpleasant court case, but having these documents ready can take care of the problem. Getting permission from the court is both expensive and time-consuming. Even if you are the one paying for your child’s health insurance, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act keeps you from obtaining medical information about your child. This could all be avoided by planning ahead and speaking with your teen about what a medical power of attorney is and what position it leaves them in.
Healthcare Power of Attorney is a document that names a person who can make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you are unable to. This person should be someone that lives close if possible, a person that knows you, someone who displays maturity and displays good judgment. This is why young adults chose a parent as their power of attorney.
Estate Planning Attorney
Again, if your child does not have a healthcare directive in place, you cannot make decisions for them if they become incapacitated. Encouraging your child to put in place a medical power of attorney could save them. To get the ball rolling, it is a good idea to speak with an attorney that has experience in drafting power of attorney. They can help you go through your option and answer any questions you have. Edmondson Law, PLLC has a team of professionals ready to help with your family’s needs. We have years of experience in Estate Planning, contact us today and schedule a free consultation with one of our members by calling 972-442-8326.
Information, Not Legal Advice. We provide the information on this website as a public service. The legal landscape is constantly changing and being modified by state law and case law. As a result, we cannot promise that this information is always up-to-date and reflective of the most current jurisprudence.
We do not intend this information to be legal advice. By providing this information, we are not acting as your lawyer. If you need legal advice, you should contact a lawyer through our number (972) 442-8326 or contact another attorney of your choosing.