New Adults

Once you turn 18, your parents can no longer access your health info, educational records, or help you manage your bank accounts without a power of attorney or authorization. We recommend the following documents be prepared for you: A Health Care Proxy, HIPAA Release Form and Durable Power of Attorney.

Health Care Proxy.  This document allows you to appoint someone to make health care decisions for you if you are unable to do so yourself.  Without this document there may be legal barriers or delays in getting the information and care you need. This document will allow a designated agent to interact with doctors, lab technicians or other medical staff.

HIPAA Release Form.  This document allows you to name folks who can access your health information such as prescriptions, test results and diagnoses. Your healthcare agent has this authority but you may wish to name additional people who may visit you if you are ill and to deal with insurance coverage and medical billing.

Power of Attorney.  This document allows you to appoint someone to manage your financial and affairs if you are unable to do so yourself.  While you’re launching into adulthood, it is often helpful for parents (or other loved ones) to have the ability to manage bank accounts, talk with an apartment rental office, help assist with taxes and the DMV, or any disputes with third parties.  (Note, this document does not grant access to education records).

Educational Records. To obtain access to a student’s academic records (i.e. grades) or disciplinary record, you must fill out A Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Waiver, usually available from the college or university.  Under the Federal law, the college will not release information without the student's explicit written consent.