When Your Child Turns 18

When a child turns 18, parents may face legal hurdles because the child is now considered an independent adult with privacy rights by many aspects of law.  These hurdles fall into two categories:  health decisions and property.

If an 18-year old person is injured but has not signed a health care proxy or HIPAA release form, the parents may face delays and be prohibited from getting information or making decisions when the child is unable.  Solution:  ask your child to sign a health care proxy form and HIPPA release and keep copies accessible.  Forms are state-specific, so find the right state version if your child is out of Massachusetts.

If your child opens a bank or brokerage account, you wouldn’t have access unless it is a joint account or has a beneficiary designation in place.

Just one day before your child turned 18 these problems didn’t exist, but suddenly they can become a reality.

Note:  this is general information of an education nature, not legal advice for a particular individual or situation.