Your Child Just Turned 18- Now What?

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Turning 18 is a major milestone for both your child and you. While it may feel like just yesterday you were teaching them to ride a bike or cheering them on at little league, your child is now legally an adult. That means the rules have changed especially when it comes to your ability to help them in a crisis.

Many parents are surprised to learn that once a child turns 18, they no longer have automatic legal rights to access their medical information, manage their property, or make decisions on their behalf. Even if you’re still footing the bill for school or health insurance, you could be locked out of critical decisions if something goes wrong.

young adults

Why Legal Documents Matter at 18

Once your child reaches adulthood, they need the same foundational estate planning documents that every adult should have especially if they’re heading off to college, joining the military, or traveling abroad. Without them, even minor situations can turn into major headaches.

For example:

  • Your child’s car gets towed while they’re away, but you can’t retrieve it without legal authority.
  • They’re hospitalized while at school or abroad, but doctors refuse to give you updates due to HIPAA privacy laws.
  • They need you to access or manage their bank account or speak with their landlord, but legally, your hands are tied.

These scenarios are more common than you might think and they’re easily preventable.

Three Essential Legal Documents for Young Adults

  1. Durable Power of Attorney for Property
    This document allows your child to name you (or another trusted adult) as their agent to handle financial or property-related matters, such as retrieving a vehicle, signing a lease, or managing a bank account.
  2. Medical Power of Attorney
    Should your child become injured or incapacitated, this document allows you to make healthcare decisions on their behalf without delays or confusion over who’s in charge.
  3. HIPAA Authorization Form
    You can access your child’s medical records or get updates from healthcare providers. Even requesting a copy of a vaccination record can be denied without this authorization.

Peace of Mind for Parents and Young Adults

Legal planning won’t stop your child from growing up, traveling the world, or making the occasional mistake. But it doesgive you the legal ability to support them when it matters most. Having these simple but powerful documents in place creates peace of mind and keeps life’s bumps from becoming legal roadblocks.

Get Started with a Free Legal Consultation

At McGee Law Firm, we help families prepare for life’s transitions big and small. Now that your child is turning 18 and planning to head to college, study abroad, or enjoy stepping in adulthood, we’ll guide you and them through the legal steps to keep your family connected and protected.

Schedule a free estate planning consultation at our Southlake or Fort Worth office and take the next step in securing your family’s future. We proudly serving families across Dallas–Fort Worth.

From the desk of Attorney Brandon McGee

Brandon McGee
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