If you have a young adult child heading off to college or into the real world, I recommend that he or she sign estate plan documents. When a child turns 18 and becomes a young adult, his or her parents no longer have the legal ability to make medical and financial decisions for the child. In an emergency the young adult may need the parent to step in to make decisions but may not have the ability to authorize the parent. To be sure the parent is able to help when needed, the young adult child should sign the following documents:

1. Health Care Proxy – In this document, the child authorizes the parent to make health care decisions on his or her behalf in the event the child is not able to make them.

2. Living Will – In this document, the child expresses his or her wishes about health care, particularly end-of-life health care, so that a parent has the ability to make end-of-life decisions on the child’s behalf if necessary.

3. HIPAA Release – In this document, the child releases his or health care information to the parent so the parent can access the information when needed.

4. Durable Power of Attorney – In this document, the child authorizes the parent to make financial decisions on his or her behalf. This will enable the parent to assist a child in financial matters, such as paying bills, opening or closing bank accounts, negotiating leases, and dealing with health insurance companies.

Although most young adults will name a parent in these documents, it is not required. The young adult child can name another trustworthy adult – a guardian, aunt or uncle, grandparent, or older sibling.