As a college student, you may think that you don't need to worry about legal documents like powers of attorney because you are young and do not have many assets yet. But when you turned 18 your parents no longer have any legal rights to help you with your healthcare or financial decisions like they did before.
What is you get in a car crash while on Spring Break and get laid up for months because of a broken leg? Would you want your parents to help you with drop classes, get out of your lease, and find a lawyer to sue the jerk who hit you? You're 18 now, so your parents can't do that automatically. A durable power of attorney for finances can give your parents the power to act for you in your financial matters.
What if you end up in the emergency room after a car accident or with a serious illness? Do you want your mom and dad to know what's going on? Make decisions for you when you can't? Without a health care power of attorney or HIPAA authorization your parents cannot talk with your doctors, help you make treatment decisions, schedule appointments for you, or resolve health insurance payment problems for you. What happened if the worst happened, wouldn't you want it to be easy for your parents to handle your estate through a will?
As a parent, you want to support your college kid and help them with their medical care when they are away from home. But you may not realize that once your child turns 18, you lose the legal right to access their health information, talk to their doctors, or make health care decisions for them without their consent. This can be frustrating and scary, especially if your child faces a medical emergency or crisis.
A health care power of attorney and a HIPAA authorization form allow your child to name you as their health care agent and give you permission to access their health information. This way, you can stay informed and involved in your child’s health care, and act on their behalf if they are unable to do so themselves.
A durable power of attorney for finances lets you act as their agent and do things like pay their bills, deal with their school or landlord, or file their taxes.
A will is also included, just to cover the unthinkable and make it easier for the family.
These documents can be executed throughout Wisconsin.
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