Turning 18 marks a huge milestone for your child—and a big shift for you as a parent. Whether your young adult is packing for college, starting a job, or taking a gap year, their new legal status comes with serious changes. You can no longer access their medical records, make financial decisions for them, or even talk to their college about academic performance—unless you have the right legal documents in place.
As an estate planning law firm in the Twin Cities, we regularly work with families navigating this life stage. This guide will help you understand what legal documents your young adult needs, why they matter, and how to get started.
Why Legal Planning Is Critical When Your Child Turns 18
Once your child reaches legal adulthood, your role as a parent changes—legally speaking. You no longer have automatic rights to step in during emergencies or make decisions on their behalf. If your child is in an accident, hospitalized, or even needs help managing finances, your hands could be tied.
A Minnesota family we worked with experienced this first-hand. Their son, a freshman at a college in South Dakota, was in a minor car accident. Though he was mostly fine, he was taken to the hospital for observation. His mom called the hospital, desperate for information—but staff legally couldn’t tell her anything. Without the proper documents, she was left in the dark during a terrifying moment.
What Legal Documents Does Your Young Adult Need?
To stay involved and be ready to support your child in an emergency—or simply help with routine tasks—there are three key legal documents every new adult should have:
1. Health Care Directive with HIPAA Authorization
A health care directive allows your child to appoint someone (often a parent) to make medical decisions on their behalf if they are unable to. This document also includes a HIPAA release, so you can access their medical information.
Your child can outline their preferences for treatment, hospital choice, allergies, and even end-of-life care. While these scenarios may feel distant, they matter—and having these preferences documented brings peace of mind. Without a health care directive, doctors cannot legally share your child’s condition with you—even in emergencies.
Want to understand who can step in legally for your child? Read more in our article, Who Can Be the Guardian of an Adult in Minnesota?
2. Durable Financial Power of Attorney
This document allows your young adult to appoint someone to handle financial matters on their behalf. Whether it’s helping with a bank account, transferring funds, signing a lease, or managing tuition payments, this legal form makes it possible.
This power of attorney can also include language allowing you to communicate with their school about academic issues, financial aid, or student accounts—something that’s otherwise restricted under FERPA.
3. FERPA Waiver for New College Students
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the privacy of student educational records. Without a signed FERPA waiver, colleges cannot share academic or disciplinary information with parents.
If you want to support your child in navigating their academic life—whether they’re thriving or struggling—a FERPA waiver is essential.
What About Students Studying or Working Out of State or Abroad?
If your child attends college in another state, or studies internationally, be sure that your documents comply with both Minnesota law and the laws of the state (or country) where they’ll be living.
For instance, some states have their own versions of health care directives or power of attorney forms. In these cases, it’s wise to prepare separate, state-specific versions to ensure full legal recognition. If studying abroad, the financial power of attorney becomes even more critical—allowing you to manage banking, taxes, or other affairs from home.
How to Get Started with Estate Planning for Young Adults
You can find basic versions of these forms online—but for true peace of mind, it’s best to work with a professional. An estate planning law firm in White Bear Lake, like Stone Arch Law Office, can guide you through the right legal documents, ensure they comply with Minnesota law, and help your child understand their new rights and responsibilities.
Each young adult is different, and their needs may vary depending on their college plans, job, or travel. By working with an attorney, you’re making sure these documents are customized, thorough, and legally binding.
Meet with Our Estate Planning Law Firm to Protect Your Child
Becoming a legal adult is exciting—but it also comes with new responsibilities. As a parent, you still want to help and protect your child. With a few simple estate planning documents, you can stay in the loop, assist in emergencies, and offer support when it’s needed most.
Don’t wait for an emergency to learn that you don’t have the authority to act. If your child is heading off to school, starting a new job, or simply turning 18, take the time to set up these critical legal protections.
Estate planning isn’t just about assets and inheritances. It’s about having the right tools in place so your family can stay connected, protected, and supported—no matter what life brings. Let our estate planning law firm in Woodbury and serving those in White Bear Lake help you take this important step. We’re here to make the process easy and personalized—for your peace of mind and theirs. Book a call today with our estate planning team to protect your young adult’s future.
Reference: Financial Planning Association (Oct. 2023) “Essential Estate Planning for Young Adults”
