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Published By Stephen M. Asbel, Kathleen DeLacy, Joel S. Luber

July 14, 2026

As college move-in season approaches, parents are busy preparing their children for a new chapter. One important item often gets overlooked: ensuring parents can legally assist their child in an emergency once that child turns 18.

At age 18, a child is legally an adult. As a result, parents no longer have an automatic right to access medical information, communicate with healthcare providers, make healthcare decisions, or handle certain financial and legal matters on their child’s behalf.

If your child becomes sick or injured while away at college, you as the parent no longer have automatic access to your child’s health information, even if you are paying your child’s tuition and other expenses.

To avoid these issues, it is advisable to consider the following documents:

  • Healthcare Directive – allows parents or another trusted individual to assist with medical matters and receive important health information if a student becomes unable to communicate during a medical emergency.
  • HIPAA Authorization – allows healthcare providers to share the student’s protected health information with designated individuals, such as parents.
  • Durable Power of Attorney – allows a parent or other trusted individual to assist with certain financial and legal matters if the student is unable to do so or is otherwise unavailable.

Work with a Qualified Attorney

While online forms may appear convenient, they often fail to address state-specific legal requirements or the unique circumstances of a particular family.

An experienced estate planning attorney can:

  • Ensure documents are legally valid and properly executed.
  • Tailor documents to the student’s circumstances.
  • Coordinate financial and healthcare authorizations.
  • Help avoid issues that could prevent the documents from being honored when needed.
  • Ensure that execution, witnessing, and notarization requirements are properly satisfied.
  • Advise families regarding additional planning considerations that may be appropriate.

Don’t Wait Until Move-In Day

The weeks before college begins are an ideal time to address these issues. These documents require your child’s cooperation, as your adult child must sign them. Although young adults often seek greater independence, having these documents in place can help parents provide assistance when it is needed most.

Taking these steps before move-in day can provide peace of mind for both parents and students as they begin this important new chapter.

For more information, please contact a member of the Reger Rizzo & Darnall LLP’s Wills, Trust and Estate Practice Group.

Stephen M Asbel at sasbel@regerlaw.com or 215-495-6523

Kathleen DeLacy at kdelacy@regerlaw.com or 302-477-7103

Joel S. Luber at jluber@regerlaw.com or 215-495-6519