Your College-Bound Child Needs a Power of Attorney (POA)

This post is about why your college-bound child needs a power of attorney (POA). All opinions are my own. This post may contain affiliate links, where I may make a small commission if you choose to make a purchase.

The college send-off is a whirlwind of emotions – excitement for your child’s new adventure, a touch of sadness at the empty nest, and maybe a nagging worry: what if something happens? As your 18-year-old embarks on this exciting journey, having a Power of Attorney (POA) in place becomes an essential step towards a smooth transition.

As parents, we are often excited to purchase room decor and essentials for dorm living. We want our kids to have what they need to be comfortable in their new home. They’re excited to set up and decorate their space with their roommate. Their enthusiasm, and mine, is contagious.

One often overlooked aspect is the importance of establishing a Power of Attorney (POA) before your child heads off to college. I am sending my third kid to college in a few weeks. With certainty, I will tell you that having a POA in place is essential.

Understanding the Power of Attorney

A POA is a legal document that grants someone the authority to act on behalf of another person in financial, legal, or healthcare matters. By having a POA, your child can appoint a trusted person, such as a parent or guardian, to make decisions and handle important matters in their absence.

Real-life Examples: Why a POA Matters

Financial Considerations

One reason why your college-bound child needs a power of attorney is that when he/she turns 18, they become a legal adult. Their financial matters are now entirely their responsibility. While I encourage my own kids to be financially responsible, they’re still just kids, fresh out of high school. There are times they need an actual adult to assist and guide them.

College students often face situations where they need financial assistance or have financial obligations that require attention. One of my college kids had her wallet stolen, her credit card maxed out and her debit account drained in a matter of minutes. She called home, very upset. After assuring her this would turn out ok, I talked her through what her next steps would be. She made the necessary phone calls and spoke to the bank representative herself.

It was important to teach her to navigate that unfortunate situation herself. But as her trusted appointee, I was able to call the credit card company and the bank myself and follow up to ensure that there was no other action necessary on her part to mitigate the damage done.

Medical Emergencies

Accidents and medical emergencies can happen at any time. Your college-bound child needs a power of attorney if this happens. It’s crucial to have a plan in place to handle such situations. Once your child turns 18, their medical information becomes private, and healthcare providers cannot share details or communicate with parents without consent.

Last year, my child was roofied at college. She called me. She was hallucinating, vomiting, crying, and barely able to walk or speak. I was a plane ride away. Her roommate, who had been home all night, drove her to the hospital. I stayed on a face-time call with them from 1200 miles away.

THIS is why your college-bound child needs a power of attorney. You need to be absolutely certain that you can communicate with your child’s healthcare provider.

A power of attorney provides peace of mind for parents.

Because my daughter was 19, the hospital could not legally divulge her information to me. But as her trusted appointee, they did and they kept me updated as if I were right there with her.

More recently, one of my children was hospitalized for a serious condition. She was home for summer break, so fortunately, I was able to be with her. Once again, as the trusted appointee, I was able to communicate with her doctors, ask questions, and get answers on her behalf.

By establishing a healthcare Power of Attorney, you can ensure that you have the authority to make medical decisions for your child if they are unable to do so themselves.

Legal Matters

College life can come with a range of legal issues, from signing leases for off-campus housing to entering into contracts or resolving legal disputes. I am happy to report that as of this writing, I have no experience navigating my kids’ legal matters, but let’s hope it stays that way.

By establishing a Power of Attorney, you can assist your child in navigating these legal matters and represent their interests effectively, ensuring they are protected and well-advised.

Peace of Mind

By having a Power of Attorney in place before your child heads off to college, you can provide them with a safety net and peace of mind. They can focus on their studies and college experience knowing that someone they trust will handle important matters on their behalf if necessary.

Whether your 18-year-old is headed to college, the military, or the workforce, having a plan in place is essential.

Get Started Today!

Empower your college-bound child with a POA. This investment in peace of mind is a valuable gift for a smooth transition into adulthood.

To get you started as you prepare to help your child navigate adulthood, I’ve included a link to the Mama Bear website where you’ll find all the legal forms you need to protect your family in an emergency. Use my code LHK20 at checkout to enjoy a discount.

https://www.mamabearlegalforms.com/youngadult?oid=1&affid=68&source_id=youngadult

Remember, you are not alone. Sending our babies off to college is often worrisome. Share your experiences navigating legal matters with your adult children. Drop a comment below. We’d love to hear from you.

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