As a parent, you’ve watched your child grow from a wobbly toddler taking their first steps to a confident young adult about to turn 18. You’ve been there through every milestone, from their first day of school to their first little league game. You’ve helped them learn how to ride a bike and have cheered them on as they’ve grown into their own person.
Now, as your child approaches adulthood, you’re faced with a new set of challenges. While your love and support for them will never end, legally, things are changing. As an adult, your child will have the right to make their own decisions, even if you don’t agree with them. You won’t have the same legal rights to make decisions for them or manage their assets, which could cause complications if they go away to college or travel abroad.
For example, let’s say your child, Johnny, is spending the summer traveling before starting college in the fall. He leaves his car parked in front of your house, but a few days after he leaves, the car gets towed because he has unpaid parking tickets. You can’t get the car back because you’re not the owner, which could cause a headache for you and your child.
Fortunately, there is a solution. Johnny can create documents that give you the legal authority to act as his agent in certain situations. These documents include a Property Power of Attorney, a Health Care Power of Attorney, and a HIPAA Authorization form.
The Property Power of Attorney would allow you to make decisions about Johnny’s property as his agent, which means you could retrieve his car and sell it if he needs extra cash for his trip. The Health Care Power of Attorney will allow you to make health care decisions for Johnny if he is unable to make those decisions for himself. And the HIPAA Authorization form would give you access to his medical information, which could be important in the event of a serious medical concern.
By creating these documents, you can help ensure that your child’s adventures don’t come to a halt due to legal complications. You can continue to be there for them as they navigate the ups and downs of life, even as they grow into independent adults.
Contact us today to schedule your personal consultation.
Compliments of the McGee Law Firm, Attorney Brandon McGee
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