Securing Legal Documents to Care for Adult Children in an Emergency

Ensuring Your Rights to Care for Your Adult Children in an Emergency

Part of life is planning for events we would rather not think about. As a parent, you want to be in a position to care for your child in the event of an emergency. But when your child reaches 18, your right to make decisions for them is contingent on legal documentation being in place. At Safe Harbor Estate Law, we can help you and your adult child secure documentation that allows you to make decisions to care for your child in the event of an emergency. Don’t hesitate to contact us to learn more about what this planning entails, and what it means for your security and peace of mind!

What You’ll Learn FROM THIS VIDEO

• The importance of establishing documents that allow you to make decisions in a medical emergency for your children.

• Why having documents in place is a necessity to allow you to handle your child’s financial and legal matters in the event of an emergency.

HERE IS THE TRANSCRIPT FROM THIS VIDEO

Margaret: I’m Margaret Barrett, owner of Safe Harbor Estate Law, but first, I am a parent.

As a parent of an older teen or a young adult, one of your worst fears is that your child may have a medical emergency. It’s a scary world out there right now. I understand.

My daughter is now a high school senior and I really want to be there for her in case the unthinkable happens.

Planning ahead can make a big difference. There are three essential documents you need to have in place for your child before the medical emergency happens.

First, you need the right to make healthcare decisions for your child if they cannot. Once they turn 18, if they can’t make their own decisions, you have no authority to make them without going to court.

Second, you need the right to handle your child’s financial and legal matters if they become ill. Again, once they’re 18, if they can’t make their own decisions, you have no authority to do so unless you go to court or you have a valid power of attorney.

One sad example of someone who did not have the digital asset authorization is Jake Olson. He mysteriously died at age 19 as a University of Minnesota freshman. His parents did not have access to his phone or computer, to his last messages or photos that were so important to them.

Look, I’m not making this video to scare you, but to help you be prepared. As one parent to another, you know your child is not going to get these documents together on their own. I know my child won’t do it on their own. As parents, we need to take the initiative to protect our children. Please call us today, and we would be happy to help you get these documents in place to protect your child.