When Your Child Turns 18, Everything Changes and Most Parents Are Not Ready
- Kirk Reagan
- Feb 10
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 12
Turning 18 is often treated as a milestone birthday. What many families don’t realize is that it is also a legal turning point that changes what parents can and cannot do for their children. Once a child turns 18, they are legally an adult. That means they can sign contracts, open brokerage accounts, vote, and in many states take full control of custodial accounts like UTMAs or UGMAs. More importantly, parents immediately lose access to critical information. Medical records become private. College records become private. Even if you are paying the bills, coordinating insurance, or handling emergencies, you may legally be shut out. These consequences don’t show up until something goes wrong, and when they do, they can be devastating.
The Four Documents Every 18 Year Old Should Have
Before a child leaves for college or moves out on their own, there are four documents that should be completed. These documents must be signed after the child turns 18 in order to be valid.
Healthcare Power of Attorney
This document allows someone to make medical decisions if the individual is incapacitated. It goes beyond information access and gives decision making authority when the person cannot speak for themselves. For married adults, this is usually a spouse. For unmarried young adults, it is often a parent or another trusted adult. Each state has its own execution requirements. Some require notarization, others require witnesses. It is critical that this document is completed correctly based on state law. This is not just for young adults. Every adult should have a healthcare power of attorney in place, along with a backup decision maker in case both primary parties are affected by the same event.
HIPAA Authorization
HIPAA authorization allows medical professionals to share medical information with designated individuals. This does not grant decision making authority. It only allows access to information.
Without it, parents may not receive emergency room updates, test results, care coordination details, or insurance explanations of benefits. This becomes especially important if the parent is managing insurance or medical payments. Choosing the right person matters. It should be someone who can act calmly, communicate clearly, and respect the individual’s wishes. Naming a backup is always a smart move.
FERPA Consent
FERPA consent allows access to educational records. This may include grades, schedules, and academic standing. This document can be sensitive. Some students may not want parents accessing their records, so it should be handled carefully and respectfully. Each college or university typically has its own FERPA consent process, and students must complete the school’s specific form for access to be granted.
Durable Financial Power of Attorney
A durable financial power of attorney allows someone to handle financial and administrative matters on behalf of the individual.
This can include:
Signing a lease
Handling landlord disputes
Accessing bank accounts
Managing tuition payments
Dealing with insurance claims
Interacting with the DMV
The word durable is essential. Durable means the authority remains in effect even if the person becomes incapacitated. A standard power of attorney becomes invalid the moment incapacity occurs.
General powers of attorney are often rejected by banks and financial institutions. The document should specifically grant financial authority and clearly outline what actions are permitted.
Springing powers of attorney, which only activate upon incapacity, often create delays and are best avoided in most situations.
Medical Readiness Matters Just as Much
Legal documents alone are not enough. Practical preparation is equally important.
Before leaving home, students should know:
Which urgent care centers accept their insurance
Where the nearest emergency rooms are
Which pharmacy to use
How to contact their primary care provider
Whether they need a local dentist
Dental emergencies are often overlooked. Without an established provider, students may be forced to travel home for urgent care. Parents should also download immunization records before the child turns 18. After that point, HIPAA authorization is required to access them.
Additional Smart Preparations
There are several simple steps that can prevent unnecessary stress:
Keep a printed auto insurance card in the car
Carry a physical medical insurance card
Consider renters insurance for laptops, bikes, and personal belongings
Document the condition of dorms or apartments with photos and video
Set up emergency medical ID information on the phone
Discuss digital asset access, including email and social media accounts
Make sure parents have contact information for roommates and close friends
These steps are not about control. They are about readiness.
Final Thought
Turning 18 changes the legal relationship between parents and children instantly. Having these documents and preparations in place allows families to respond quickly and effectively when it matters most. Preparation now can prevent chaos later.
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