High School Graduation is Soon - Is Your Young Adult Prepared?
My husband and I are experiencing a first - our first child is a senior in high school gearing up to embark on her next chapter of life. This is an exciting and thrilling time for her - getting ready for senior prom, planning a graduation party, and preparing for college. But for us? It’s a whirlwind of emotions—excitement, happiness, stress, and sadness, all mixed together.
We are so proud of the young adult our daughter has become and are excited for the adventures that await her. But as parents, we can’t help but to have some sadness; I mean, it seems like 18 years flew by in an instant. She’s no longer our little girl (well, to me, she’ll always be my little girl). She’s an independent, strong woman who will do great things with her life.
In the legal world though, it doesn’t matter that you still view your child as “your little girl” - when she turns 18, she’s an adult. Literally, overnight, your legal ability to make decisions on behalf of your child is gone. To a parent, it’s a legal gut punch then slap across the face - hey, you’re no longer legally allowed to speak on behalf of your child, and, oh yeah, by the way, you’re now old enough that you have an adult child! Thanks for that, world.
All of her life, we’ve tried to protect her, guide her, and do what’s best for her. When your child turns 18, they’re still yours, and you still want what’s best for them. You can only hope that you’ve done more right than wrong, we know we’re not perfect, but we’ve tried our best, right?!?
As a young adult, they may think they’ve got it all figured out, but there might be a time when they need you. Whether your 18-year-old is heading to college or starting their full-time career, unfortunately, medical emergencies and accidents can happen. We can’t protect them forever, but we can be there when they need us most. This can give you and your young adult some peace of mind.
If your child, who’s now an adult, is incapacitated due to a medical emergency or accident, you may not be able to make healthcare decisions or access medical records on their behalf. Or, if they need help managing financial matters—say, they’re studying abroad and need someone to handle banking issues—you could be locked out.
That’s why two important documents should be considered when every child turns 18 - a Financial Power of Attorney and a Healthcare Power of Attorney.
When we’re young, we think we’re invincible. It’s an exciting time of life, but the young adult in your life may still need support. Financial and Healthcare Powers of Attorneys are important tools for young adults, so that a parent or a trusted person can be there in the case of an emergency.
Graduation season is a time for celebration, but it’s also the perfect time to plan ahead. Contact Ballinger Legal today to discuss your estate planning needs and make sure your young adult is fully prepared for their next chapter.
