Medical & Financial Planning For Young Adults Before College Move-In

By Attorney Darla Krzoska, Estate & Trust Attorney

Before a young adult leaves for college, families often focus on class schedules, housing, meal plans, textbooks, and move-in details. Those are all important, but one issue is easy to overlook until something unexpected happens: what changes legally when a child turns 18?

Once a child becomes a legal adult, parents may no longer have automatic access to certain medical, financial, or educational information. Even if the young adult is still living at home, covered by a parent’s insurance, or relying on family support, the legal relationship changes. That can create confusion if a student has a medical emergency, needs help with a financial matter, or faces an unexpected situation while away at school.

Medical and financial planning for young adults can help families prepare before college move-in. A few important conversations and documents may make it clearer who can receive information, who can assist with decisions, and what steps may be available if something unexpected occurs.

Why Turning 18 Changes What Parents Can Access

Many parents are used to helping with appointments, school paperwork, bank questions, insurance information, and other responsibilities for their children. Once a child turns 18, however, they are generally treated as an adult for many legal and privacy purposes.

This can surprise families. A parent may assume they can still speak with a doctor, access records, call a college office, or help with a financial account because they are paying tuition or because the student is still dependent on them. In many situations, that may not be possible without the proper authorization.

This does not mean parents need to take over a young adult’s decisions. Instead, this planning can help the student choose trusted people who may be able to assist if they are unable to speak for themselves or need help with an important matter.

Medical Planning Before College Move-In

One of the biggest concerns for families is what happens if a college student is injured, becomes seriously ill, or cannot communicate with medical providers. Parents may naturally want updates, but medical privacy rules can limit what information providers may share.

A health care power of attorney can allow an adult to name someone they trust to make health care decisions if they become incapacitated. Wisconsin’s Department of Health Services explains that an advance directive can describe, in writing, treatments a person does or does not want and can tell others what to do if the person is injured and cannot express their wishes. In Wisconsin, a person can complete an advance directive if they are 18 or older and of sound mind.

For a college student, this type of planning may be especially important because they may be living away from home, traveling, participating in activities, or relying on medical providers their parents do not know. If an emergency happens, having the appropriate documents in place may make it easier for family members to understand the situation and help coordinate next steps.

Health Care Power Of Attorney And HIPAA Authorization

Families often hear about health care powers of attorney and HIPAA authorization, but the documents serve different purposes.

A health care power of attorney generally allows a person to name a trusted individual to make medical decisions if the person is unable to make those decisions. For a college student, this may matter if they are seriously injured, hospitalized, or otherwise unable to communicate with medical providers.

A HIPAA authorization is different. It generally allows medical providers to share protected health information with the people named in the authorization. Depending on the situation, a parent may need access to medical information even if they are not making medical decisions.

For example, if a student is hospitalized while away at college, a parent may need to understand what happened, what treatment is being provided, or what follow-up care may be necessary. The right documents can help reduce confusion and provide clearer authority for communication and decision-making.

Financial Power Of Attorney For Young Adults

Medical issues are not the only concern. A young adult may also need help with financial matters while they are away at school.

A financial power of attorney can allow a trusted person to help manage certain financial matters if needed. Depending on how the document is prepared, this may include issues involving bank accounts, bills, insurance, tuition payments, leases, vehicle matters, or other financial responsibilities.

This can be useful if a student becomes seriously ill, studies abroad, has difficulty managing a time-sensitive financial matter, or needs a parent or trusted person to act on their behalf. It can also help avoid delays if financial institutions require proper authorization before speaking with someone other than the account holder.

The right next step depends on the student’s circumstances. Some young adults may only need simple planning documents, while others may need more detailed guidance if they have significant assets, business interests, employment benefits, or other responsibilities.

Educational Records And Campus Information

Parents may also be surprised to learn that access to certain educational information can change once a student is in college. A parent who was used to receiving school records, contacting teachers, or handling school-related matters may have less automatic access once the student becomes an adult and attends college.

Colleges and universities often have their own forms and procedures for allowing parents or other trusted individuals to access certain information. Families may want to review those requirements before move-in so they understand what the school will and will not discuss with parents.

This is another reason why planning conversations matter. A student may want a parent to help in an emergency but still want independence in day-to-day college life. Clear expectations can help families respect that balance.

Beneficiary Designations And Basic Asset Planning

Estate planning for young adults is not just about medical emergencies. It can also include basic financial and beneficiary planning.

When a young adult opens bank accounts, starts a job, receives employment benefits, purchases life insurance, or begins saving for retirement, they may be asked to name beneficiaries. These beneficiary designations can affect who receives certain assets if something happens to them.

Many young adults do not have significant assets, and they may not think of themselves as needing an estate plan. However, basic planning can still matter. A simple review of accounts, beneficiary designations, and decision-making documents can help make sure trusted people are named where appropriate.

Parents should also remember that these decisions belong to the young adult. The purpose is not to pressure them, but to help them understand the responsibilities that come with legal adulthood.

Why Families Should Prepare For An Emergency

Many planning issues become harder to address once there is already an emergency. If a student is injured, hospitalized, or unable to communicate, families may not have time to sort through forms, determine who has authority, or figure out what documents are missing.

Having these conversations before college move-in can reduce confusion later.

Families may want to discuss:

● Who the young adult would want contacted in an emergency
● Who should be able to receive medical information
● Who the young adult would trust to make health care decisions if needed
● Whether someone should be able to help with financial matters
● What school forms may be needed for parent access
● Whether beneficiary designations are current
● Where important documents will be stored
● How family members will communicate if something unexpected happens

These conversations do not have to be uncomfortable. They can be framed as part of preparing for independence, similar to reviewing insurance, setting up a bank account, or making sure a student has reliable transportation.

Common Misconceptions About Planning For College Students

One common misconception is that estate planning is only for older adults or people with substantial assets. In reality, some planning documents are less about wealth and more about decision-making, privacy, and access to information.

Another misconception is that parents can automatically step in because they are still financially supporting the student. Once a young adult turns 18, that support does not always give parents legal authority to access information or make decisions.

Families may also assume that planning means giving up independence. That does not have to be true. A young adult can choose who they trust, define the authority being given, and maintain control over their own decisions unless a document applies under specific circumstances.

When To Speak With An Attorney

Families often have questions about which documents are appropriate, how broad those documents should be, and how to make sure they are completed correctly. An attorney can help explain the purpose of each document and how it may fit the young adult’s situation.

Legal guidance may be especially helpful if the student is attending school out of state, has medical concerns, owns property, has significant financial accounts, is starting a business, receives employment benefits, or has family circumstances that require more careful planning.

Bosshard Parke helps individuals and families think through estate planning and decision-making documents in a practical way. For college-bound students, the goal is not to create unnecessary paperwork. The goal is to help families prepare for situations where clear authority and communication may matter.

Planning Ahead Can Give Families More Clarity

College is an important step toward adulthood. For parents, it can also be a reminder that their child’s legal status has changed. Medical and financial planning for young adults can help families prepare for emergencies, reduce confusion, and support a student’s independence.

Before college move-in, families may want to review health care powers of attorney, HIPAA authorization, financial powers of attorney, beneficiary designations, school access forms, and emergency contact information. Every situation is different, but having these conversations early can make it easier to respond if unexpected issues arise.

Contact Bosshard Parke For Guidance

If your family has questions about medical and financial planning for a college-bound student, Bosshard Parke can help you better understand what documents may be appropriate for your situation.

Our estate planning attorneys work with individuals and families throughout the Coulee Region to provide practical guidance based on each family’s needs.

Contact Bosshard Parke to discuss planning documents for your young adult and determine what next steps may be appropriate.