The summer before college tends to fill up fast with dorm shopping, orientation schedules, and logistical planning. What often gets overlooked is a straightforward legal reality: once your child turns 18, you no longer have automatic rights to access their medical information or manage their financial affairs, even in an emergency.
Three documents can change that before move-in day
HIPAA privacy authorization
Under the HIPAA Privacy Rule, medical providers are prohibited from sharing a patient’s health information with anyone who has not been formally authorized to receive it. If your college student is admitted to a hospital, staff cannot confirm their condition or share any details about their care without written authorization from your child. A signed HIPAA authorization form resolves this by explicitly naming you as someone permitted to receive that information.
Healthcare proxy
A HIPAA authorization gives you access to information but not the ability to make decisions. If your child is incapacitated and cannot speak for themselves, a healthcare proxy designates you as their health care agent. That means you can consult with physicians, review treatment options, and make medical decisions on their behalf. Without this document, a court may need to get involved before any action can be taken.
New York requires two adult witnesses when signing a healthcare proxy, and neither witness can be the person named as the agent. Online templates do not always account for these requirements, so it is worth having the document reviewed before your child signs.
Durable financial power of attorney
If your kid studies abroad, loses mental capacity due to an accident, or simply needs you to handle an administrative matter in their absence, you have no legal authority to act without a financial power of attorney. This document allows your child to designate you to manage financial matters such as bank accounts, lease agreements, or billing disputes on their behalf.
Taking action before the semester starts
These documents are straightforward but carry real legal requirements that vary by state. If your child is heading to school in New York, speaking with an estate planning attorney before they leave can ensure the documents are properly executed and enforceable when you need them.