As a parent, sending your child off to college is a proud milestone—but also a major legal turning point. Once they turn 18, you lose your automatic rights to make medical or financial decisions on their behalf, even in an emergency. That’s why it’s essential to have the right legal documents in place before move-in day. In this post, we'll walk you through the must-have estate planning documents every Ohio parent should consider for their new adult.
When your child turns 18 and heads off to college, you may feel proud—and a bit anxious. Most parents focus on dorm furniture, tuition, and orientation schedules. But there’s an important oversight many families don't think about until it's too late: estate planning documents for their legal adult child.
In Ohio, once someone turns 18, they become a legal adult—and parents lose automatic access to their medical records, the ability to manage their financial affairs, or receive updates from colleges and hospitals. That’s why essential documents like Powers of Attorney and HIPAA authorizations are critical now—before your student faces an unexpected emergency.
What Changes When Your Child Turns 18?
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They now have full legal privacy protections, meaning medical and financial information is no longer accessible without consent.
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You no longer have the legal authority to act for them in crisis situations or emergencies.
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Even seemingly routine matters—from student loan details to health updates—may be inaccessible without proper authorization.
3 Key Legal Documents Every Ohio College-Bound Student Needs
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Durable Financial Power of Attorney
Authorizes you (or another chosen person) to manage financial matters—including banking, tuition payments, or rental issues—if your child is incapacitated.
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Healthcare Power of Attorney
Allows someone to make medical decisions on your child's behalf in case of incapacity, avoiding costly court proceedings to appoint a guardian.
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HIPAA Authorization
Grants access to your child’s medical information so trusted individuals can communicate with health providers and manage care with complete transparency.
Why These Documents Matter
Imagine this: Your 18-year-old son just started his freshman year at an Ohio university. He’s doing well—until one weekend, he ends up in the ER after a car accident.
You rush to the hospital, terrified and looking for answers. But when you ask about his condition, the nurse tells you: “I’m sorry, we can’t release any medical information. He’s an adult, and we don’t have authorization.”
Even though you’re his parent, without a signed HIPAA authorization or healthcare power of attorney, doctors can’t legally discuss his condition or let you make medical decisions if he's unconscious. You're left in the dark during a terrifying moment—all because the right documents weren’t in place.
This is why these forms aren’t just legal documents—they are essential protections for your child and peace of mind for you.
Bonus Document: A Basic Will
While college students usually don’t own much, having a simple will can help designate who should receive even modest assets—such as a bank account, laptop, or digital accounts—if something unexpected happens.
Checklist: Legal Protections Before College for Ohio 18-Year-Olds
How Krugler Law Helps Ohio Families
At Krugler Law, we help Cincinnati parents and their newly adult children plan for potential emergencies—so families can focus on the exciting next chapter instead of legal complications.
Whether it's preparing Powers of Attorney and HIPAA releases before college or providing a student-friendly introductory estate plan, we make the process clear and approachable.
If you’d like help creating a tailored estate document package for your college-bound student, today—we’re here to make it easy and give your family peace of mind.