In Florida, an eighteen-year-old college student is considered an adult. That means your “parent” status will no longer provide access to your young adult’s medical or financial information – even in an emergency. Before your student heads off to college, you may wish to consider these legal documents:
Health Care Surrogate Designation
A health care surrogate designation can give one or more parents the authority to make important health care decisions if the young adult is unable to do so. Many surrogate designations include a living will, in which the young adult can provide instructions regarding the use or avoidance of life-prolonging procedures.
Durable Power of Attorney
This document can authorize one or more parents to conduct financial transactions and manage property on behalf of the young adult. Should the student ever become incapacitated, the document remains in effect and enables the parent to step in as necessary.
Last Will
Most college students have few assets, and Florida’s intestacy laws provide an effective method of distributing those assets back to the parents in the event of their young adult’s death. However, a basic will may still be useful in providing for the transfer or management of the young adult’s digital assets.