POA's and Living Wills for 18+
- Aug 7, 2025
- 3 min read
"They're Growing Up!"
Happy Graduation to your high school students! Congratulations to the entire family on all the hard work and support that goes into organizing and planning for these moments. Turning 18 and launching into adulthood is exciting, and you have prepared them well.
They will, of course, still need you. They will need your confidence, your advice, and your listening ear for reports of accomplishments and failures. They will need your applause when they succeed, and when they try, and try again.
But by simply becoming 18, legally speaking, they are adults. You will need their permission to speak with their healthcare providers… yes, even if it is the same pediatrician they have seen for the last 18 years. If your adult child needs your help with financial accounts, the bank will require their permission… yes, even if it’s the same bank that’s been offering them lollipops for their $25 lemonade stand deposits for the last several years. Universities will need the student’s permission to speak with the parents… yes, even if the tuition check comes from you!
So as you help your adult child get ready to embark on this grand adventure of adulthood, know that two legal documents can make the transitions easier: a Living Will for Healthcare and a Durable General Power of Attorney. The first makes it clear that healthcare providers can continue to speak with you regarding your child’s medical treatments, appointments, needs and concerns. The second allows you to financially “step into your child’s shoes” in signing paperwork and completing bank-related transactions. To be clear, these documents should be clearly explained to the adult child, and their validity relies on their agreement, of course.
A few real-life examples: an adult child was home from college, and came down with a flu. The parent called the pediatrician, and after verifying the child’s birthday, the nurse explained that because the child was over 18, she could not speak with the parent any further until the child gave his permission.
In another healthcare situation, an adult child was injured while out of town, requiring x-rays and emergency intervention. Doctors could not reveal any updates on the treatment to the parents until the child granted permission.
And in a car-buying scenario, an out-of-state college kid was in need of some new-to-him wheels, but could not get home to tackle the task himself, even though he had saved up the money to make the purchase. His parents were able to purchase the car for him using his very own saved funds, title it in his name, and complete the transaction (with his agreement and direction), because they had already signed a Power of Attorney and brought a copy of it to the car dealer.
How best can you help your adult child? Be their rock. Part of that responsibility includes the foresight of preparation, so that when situations surface that require your help – and they absolutely will – you don’t have to hesitate or fumble for their fledgling permission. You are the wise one, and your example will be their most effective guide. May their futures be bright and blessed.
I can make the process easy to secure a Living Will for Healthcare and a Durable General Power of Attorney. Let me help you take care of this task before their tail lights make it out of the neighborhood.
615-351-8440
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