Protecting Adult Children

As many of us are preparing for the fall and family members going back to school, some people are experiencing the excitement of children or grandchildren starting college. Other adult children are perhaps entering the work force or traveling to enjoy a break from academic demands. Regardless of their plans, one thing that these young adults have in common when they turn 18 is that they need their own Estate Planning documents in place to be protected.
It is very important for anyone 18 or older to have essential Estate Planning documents in place, especially advance directives such as a Health Care Surrogate, a Durable Power of Attorney, and a HIPAA Release Authorization.
With these Estate Planning documents parents can assist adult children with medical and financial matters in case they are not able to make these decisions for themselves due to an accident, illness, or if the adult child is inexperienced and asks for assistance.
Healthcare industry privacy laws and financial institutions’ regulations make it imperative that a parent has proper authorization from an adult child to access information and act on his or her behalf. The same legal constraints also affect the ability to get academic information from colleges and universities.
Please make no mistake about it: these Estate Planning documents are required to properly protect your adult family members.
Our compassionate and caring Elder Law and Estate Planning Attorneys are here for you, and they are sensitive to you and your family’s needs and concerns.
If you need to initiate an Estate Planning review, or new Estate Planning case at this time, we are happy to assist you. Depending on your level of comfort and abilities, we can handle your initial intake or planning review consult by phone, video conference, or in person in most instances.
If it has been a while since you last updated your plan with our office, please remember that a review and update is typically needed:
1. If more than 3 years have passed since you signed your planning documents;
2. If new children have been born or adopted;
3. If your children have now become adults;
4. If you have become a grandparent;
5. If there has been a significant change in the value or composition of your planning assets;
6. If you have disposed of specific assets which were going to a named beneficiary;
7. If one or more of your named beneficiaries have deceased or are now under a disability;
8. If one or more of your named fiduciaries, agents, or surrogates have deceased, are now under a disability, or are no longer appropriate to serve for you;
9. If there have been significant tax law changes since you signed your plan; or
10. If there have been significant Florida law changes since you signed your plan.
Our Elder Law and Estate Planning Attorneys have the knowledge, experience, and empathy necessary to guide you in preparing a Will or Trust, or in legally representing you in a Probate or Trust Administration. If you have any concerns about Wills, Trusts, Power of Attorney, Designation of Health Care Surrogate, or managing the costs of long-term care, please do not delay. Call us today at (904) 264-8800, and set up a phone, video, or in-person appointment today with one of our knowledgeable, compassionate, and caring Elder Law Attorneys.
With offices in Orange Park, Jacksonville, and St. Augustine, our Elder Law Attorneys help young adults and families in North Florida create important Estate Planning documents that include a broad Durable Power of Attorney, Health Care Surrogate, and HIPAA Release Authorization.
Grady and Alison
We are your Florida First Coast Elder Law Attorneys.