The holidays are over, the new year has begun, and your older kids are (finally!)
headed back to college. In all the hectic activity, it’s easy to neglect a task that if
left undone, could prove disastrous (I’m not referring to washing their sheets). The
fact is, most young adults have not prepared crucial legal documents that are
absolutely essential if the unlikely happens.
First and foremost is a HIPAA authorization. This simple form grants you (the
parent) access to their medical information. Just because you pay their insurance
premiums and tuition doesn’t allow you access to their private healthcare data –
remember, the state says they’re adults (childish behavior notwithstanding). Five
minutes now can save you countless hours later petitioning a court just to find out
their medical condition.
Next, unless you want that same judge deciding whether you’re entitled to make
their medical decisions when they can’t, it is imperative to prepare a healthcare
surrogate designation (sometimes called a medical power of attorney). It takes just
a few minutes now to avoid major problems down the road, by granting you the
decision-making authority needed in a crisis.
Finally, there’s a living will. This is the document every legal adult needs to
stipulate what medical care they do (and more importantly, don’t) want in the
event they become incapacitated and can’t make their wishes known.
The good news is that technology has simplified the process of obtaining these
documents, especially from companies like NetLaw. Our simple, easy-to- use
software provides affordable software than can reduce to minutes, what used to
take hours. Check us out at www.netlawinc.com today!