Graduation season is here. A joyous time, to be soon followed by a (maybe) heart wrenching time as your “baby” goes off to college to live the life of an adult. Yes, despite how they appear to us, those 18 year olds are adults, who, with the exception of the right to drink legally, have all the rights and responsibilities of an adult.
So, what does this mean for the nervous parent at home? Well, despite the fact that Mom and Dad’s names appear on the tuition bill, parents really have no authority to receive grades, talk to the school, or make medical decisions in the case of an emergency. That is, unless of course, you have had the foresight to have your child execute a power of attorney and health care proxy prior to leaving for college.
A power of attorney can help if you need to straighten out finances either at the school or back home. Without this document, parents won’t be able to deal with an insurance company for that auto accident or talk to the bank about that overdraft.
If your child becomes ill while at school, HIPPA laws will prevent the school from releasing information, unless of course, your child has waived those limitations in the health care proxy.
Send your child off to school with more than just a laptop and extra long bed sheets for the dorm room. Send them off with the piece of mind that Mom and Dad can still lend a helping hand.
Until September I will offer all WBN members a discount for children going off to college. A power of attorney and health care proxy will be $100.00 for both documents.
Karen A. McSherry Attorney at Law
187 Washington St. (Rte. 138)
Tel: 508-238-3333
Fax: 508-238-1500
EM: karen@KmcSherryLaw.com
Web: http://www.KmcSherryLaw.com
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