If you are the parent of an 18-year-old who may be off to college shortly, you should be aware that not only is your child leaving, but they are also taking many of your prior legal rights with them.
Once your child turns 18, he or she is considered an adult in the eyes of the law, and you are no longer able to access medical, bank or school records without permission. To keep your peace of mind, here are some things you can do to ensure you have the right to access these records, especially in case of emergency:
1. Have your child sign a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) form and make sure each of you has a hard copy. Make an electronic file as well in case you need to email it.
2. Make sure you are listed as the In Case of Emergency (ICE) contact on your chlid’s cell phone.
3. If your of-age child is incapacitated, who will make healthcare decisions for him or her? Discuss options with your estate planning attorney, who may recommend a health care power of attorney designation or health care directive.
4. Check out DocuBank.com, which stores all your child’s emergency medical information and directives online for immediate access by medical personnel anywhere in the world. Your child carries a card (similar to an insurance card) that lists allergies, conditions and emergency contact information.
For more information on protecting your family, contact our Costa Mesa law firm.