A few weeks ago, my colleague DeAnna Kaber stopped by my office with a request that I think every parent of a college-bound student should consider. It was one of the most important appointments I have had all summer and one of the simplest.

DeAnna’s son Alex is heading off to play college hockey this fall, and she wanted to make sure her family was protected before he left. Specifically, she worried that if something happened to Alex hours from home, she would not be able to get information, make decisions, and help him without running into legal walls.

As an attorney at Krilogy Law, I spend a lot of time thinking about the legal gaps families don’t know exist until they need to. Signing a Power of Attorney for college-bound students is at the top of that list.

What Changes the Moment Your Child Turns 18

Here is what most parents don’t realize until it is too late: the day your child becomes a legal adult, your automatic rights as a parent disappear.

In Missouri, once a child turns 18, parents no longer have authority to make medical decisions, access medical records, communicate with healthcare providers, or manage financial matters on their behalf. Privacy laws, including HIPAA, generally prevent hospitals and doctors from sharing any information without the adult child’s explicit authorization — even in an emergency, and even if you are standing in the hospital waiting room.

It is something DeAnna recognized right away when we sat down together.

“Most parents are focused on the exciting parts of sending a kid to college. They don’t realize that turning 18 quietly changes who can access information and make decisions during a crisis.”

I have seen this play out in the most stressful of circumstances. I had clients whose child was in a car accident while away at school. They learned from a friend that the accident had occurred, but could not reach their son because his phone was at the scene. When they called area hospitals, no one could confirm anything because he was 18. That family was left waiting and helpless during one of the most frightening moments of their lives, not because the hospital didn’t care, but because the law left no other option.

It is a situation that is entirely preventable with two simple documents.

The Documents Every College Student Should Sign

A Healthcare Power of Attorney authorizes a trusted person, most often a parent, to make medical decisions and communicate with healthcare providers if a student becomes incapacitated. A companion HIPAA Authorization allows parents to receive medical information even in situations that don’t require full decision-making authority. Think of it as making sure the lines of communication stay open no matter what.

A Financial Power of Attorney allows a parent or trusted individual to assist with banking, accounts, or financial transactions if the student is unable to do so themselves.

One thing I want students to understand: signing these documents does not give up your independence or hand over control of your life. It simply authorizes someone you trust to help if you are in a situation where you cannot help yourself.

Alex, DeAnna’s son, admitted he had no idea his parents would lose automatic access to his information once he turned 18. “I was happy to do it, especially since I trust my mom,” he said. “I’m glad my parents suggested this. They want what’s best for me, and having this in place means they can support me when I really need them.”

Why This Summer Is the Right Time

The best time to put these documents in place is before an emergency occurs. Summer is ideal since students are home and schedules allow for a quick meeting. If your student is already on campus, don’t wait for a reason to act. Winter break and spring break are the next best opportunity to get this done.

For DeAnna, whose son will be playing hockey and living hours from home this fall, the motivation was personal.

“It only took a few minutes to sign, but knowing that if something were to happen while Alex is away I can step in and help make decisions quickly. That peace of mind will last a lifetime.”

What to Expect When You Work With Krilogy Law

The process is more straightforward than most families expect. Families start by completing a short questionnaire so we can prepare the documents. From there, the student meets with an attorney on our team to review everything, ask questions, and sign. For most families, it is completed in a single meeting.

After signing, I always remind families to share copies with the named agents, keep accessible copies for the student, and provide healthcare documents to primary care physicians when appropriate. It is a small final step that ensures the documents can do their job when needed.

If you have a college-bound student, reach out to the Krilogy Law Office before the fall semester begins. A single conversation and a short meeting could make all the difference when it matters most.

Legal services are provided under separate engagement through KEP Law, LLC d/b/a Krilogy Law, an independently owned law firm affiliated with Krilogy by common ownership. The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be solely based upon advertisement.