Legal Adults & Legal Documents

When Sarah left for college, her parents felt confident they were just a phone call away if anything went wrong. But when she ended up in the ER with a high fever, they got a shock: the hospital wouldn’t share any information or even confirm she was there.

Sarah had just turned 18. Legally, she was an adult, and her parents no longer had the right to make medical decisions or access her records.

Now compare that with Noah. Before starting a summer internship in Chicago, his parents had him sign three simple documents: a Patient Advocate Designation, a HIPAA Authorization, and a General Durable Power of Attorney. When he was injured in a biking accident, his mom was able to speak directly with doctors — and even handle his insurance and banking while he recovered.

It’s a step many families overlook: once your child turns 18, you lose legal authority in both medical and financial matters. But it’s easy to fix. These documents are straightforward to put in place and can save precious time and stress when life throws a curveball.

At Wright Beamer, we help families take care of this every day. If there’s a new 18-year-old in your life, now’s the perfect time to check this off the list. Contact us today at 248.477.6300.