Key Takeaways:

• Unless you have certain documents in place when your child turns 18, you will not be able to make any legal decisions on their behalf and will lose the ability to access any of their health, education, or financial records.
• In the unanticipated situation where your child is incapable of making decisions on their own, you will be barred from making them on their behalf. 

What this may mean for you: 

• Having the appropriate documents in place and considering the legal impact that turning 18 has on your child, you may be better equipped to navigate this transition and hopefully avoid any unintended consequences.

In your eyes, your child will always be “your child,” no matter what their age, but in the eyes of the law in many states, that “child” is legally an adult on their 18th birthday. This seemingly minor change in nomenclature can have a major impact if not carefully planned for. Without having certain documents in place on their 18th birthday, you will have no access to their medical, financial, or academic records.

Furthermore, in the unanticipated situation where your child is incapable of making decisions on their own, you will be barred from making them on their behalf. This can present a unique set of challenges if your child is away at college. Planning for these and other issues that may arise is key to avoiding the various pitfalls that you and your children may face.

How does the law view your child now that they are 18?

The “age of majority” – Once your child hits a certain age (usually 18), they have reached the “age of majority.” This means, as far as the law is concerned, he or she is an adult, and information regarding their health, finances, and education will not be disclosed to anyone without their written consent.

What can be done? – Certain legal documents must be put in place to designate you as your child’s legal representative.

What documents should you consider having in place on your child’s 18th birthday?

1. Advanced healthcare directive. This document does two things, it appoints an agent who can make medical decisions on behalf of your child when they are unable to do so and gives directions for the care they want to receive in different situations. Some states use a combination of different documents to appoint an agent and state your directions, including healthcare power of attorney, healthcare proxy, and/or living will. These documents typically don't take effect until your child is determined to be physically or mentally incapable of making decisions on their own. It's a scenario you never want to have to consider as a parent but it's a document you will be thankful to have in place if you ever need it.
2. HIPAA authorization. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, otherwise known as HIPAA, is a privacy law that prevents health care providers from disclosing your child’s current medical condition or medical records to unauthorized persons. If you want to maintain access to that information, a HIPAA authorization document must be on file. Additionally, if your child feels uncomfortable allowing unrestricted access to their sensitive information, he or she can limit its breadth according to their comfort level.
3. Financial power of attorney. Similar to the health care proxy, the financial power of attorney allows you to make financial decisions and access financial records on your child’s behalf. The list of benefits is long as to why it is a good idea to have this in place, but a practical reason is simply that if they are getting ready to head off to college, details like tax deadlines, contractual obligations, and other time-sensitive financial decisions can be easily overlooked amongst their busy schedules. By exercising the authority granted in a Power of Attorney, you may be able to maintain access to these matters, and you and your child may be able to avoid some headaches or costly mistakes that could result if these details were overlooked.
4. FERPA authorization. FERPA stands for the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, which requires that students over age 18 give written consent before any educational records can be released to another person. “Educational records” is broadly defined under FERPA to mean those records that are: (1) directly related to the student, and (2) maintained by an educational agency or institution acting for the agency or institution. Of course, this includes transcripts, disciplinary actions, scholarship information, and tuition information, but what is less apparent is that records maintained by the college campus’s health clinic are also considered an “educational record” and therefore not covered under HIPAA. For example, if your child visits his or her university’s health services center for treatment, you would not have access his or her medical records merely by presenting a signed HIPAA form. By way of contrast, however, if your child is sent to the local hospital for treatment, then the HIPAA form would permit you to access his or her medical information.
5. Simple will. If your adult child dies owning assets, his or her estate is subject to the probate laws of their state of domicile. If the child does not have a will or will substitute, any individually owned assets will pass according to the intestate laws of the state. Generally, the assets of an unmarried child with no descendants will pass to his or her parents, if they are living. If the parents are not living, the assets will go to their siblings. Although the appropriateness of a will or will substitute varies based on the complexity of the child’s estate, you should consider discussing this with your adult child.

Uniform Gifts to Minors Act (UGMA) and Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UTMA) accounts

UGMA and UTMA accounts are custodial accounts set up for minors that can hold cash, investments, and, in some cases, collectibles. These accounts are controlled by a custodian, usually the parent. Depending on state law, when the child attains age 18 or 21, he or she assumes control of the account.

Beyond the legal requirements 

Dealing with the legal aspect, of course, is just part of this journey for you and your child. Turning 18 is an important milestone and an opportunity for you to engage in meaningful conversations about your hopes and wishes as well as getting an idea of your child’s dreams.

Making sure you have the legal documents described above will give you access to important information, but, ideally, much of this information will come via speaking with your child. If your child will be away from home, discussing how much contact and what method will vary by child. It’ll also be a time for your child to stretch their wings and build their own experiences. Some may discover that their initial choice, whether it be college or career, may not be right for them, or they may not be making the most of the experience. This is an opportunity for you to coach them on being accountable as well as finding their own path. Whether your child is nearing their 18th birthday or has already crossed that threshold, consider the steps outlined above to help you both be prepared for the exciting road ahead.

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