Why Parents Should Get a Power of Attorney and Other Advance Directives for Their Young-Adult Children

As parents, we always want to ensure the well-being and protection of our children, even as they transition into young adulthood. While estate planning may not be the first thing on your mind when it comes to your young-adult children, it is an essential aspect of their future security. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the importance of advance directives, such as a Power of Attorney, for young-adult children and why parents should consider helping their adult children to put these documents in place.

What is an Advance Directive? An Advance Directive is a crucial component of estate planning that addresses both life and death issues. It specifically focuses on how individuals want their healthcare to be handled if they become unable to communicate their wishes. Within an Advance Directive, various documents can be included, such as Living Wills, a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, Health Care Surrogate Designation, Organ Donor Form, and a HIPAA Authorization. These documents ensure that your young-adult child’s healthcare preferences are known, and trusted individuals can make decisions on their behalf, even in challenging situations involving privacy regulations. The advance directives may also ensure that if your child is unconscious and hospitalized, you can call the hospital and get their status over the phone.

Although it may be uncomfortable to think about these scenarios, it is essential to plan ahead. Shockingly, according to a study conducted by Health Affairs in 2017, only about 33% of people in the United States have an Advance Directive. By taking the initiative to establish these directives, parents can protect their young-adult children’s healthcare wishes, particularly during uncertain times like these.

Advance Directives are critical because these documents involve decisions regarding life-sustaining measures, such as resuscitation, ventilator use, artificial nutrition, and hydration. By outlining preferences in an Advance Directive, your young-adult child can ensure that their medical treatment aligns with their values and desires, even if they are unable to express them personally.

Moreover, Advance Directives can help avoid conflicts among family members. Without clear guidance, disagreements may arise regarding whether to continue life support through artificial means or not. Such disagreements can escalate to the point where a court order becomes necessary to terminate life support, prolonging the family’s suffering and intensifying the emotional and financial burdens. By having an Advance Directive in place, parents can spare their young-adult children and the family from this potential ordeal, providing clarity and guidance during difficult times.

At Longa Law Firm, we understand the importance of Advance Directives in safeguarding the future of your young-adult children. This is why we, at Longa Law Firm, are offering all Moms and Dads who purchase a couple’s Trust Package a Power of Attorney for their Young Adult Child (age 18 – 21) who is interested in obtaining one. One complimentary Young Adult Power of Attorney will be included in every couple’s Trust package purchased through October as a thank you to all the Moms and Dads. If your child takes advantage of this promotion, they can take proactive steps to protect their well-being, ensure their healthcare preferences are respected, and minimize potential conflicts among family members.

To get started, contact us to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced attorneys. We will guide you through the process and help you create the right documents for your family and your young adult child. Remember, proactive planning today can provide peace of mind for you and your family tomorrow.

To learn more about Advance Directives and access helpful resources online, visit this website that includes free downloads: https://www.floridahealthfinder.gov/reports-guides/advance-directives.aspx.

If you are interested in learning more about FERPA, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, I’ll be covering that topic in my next blog post to be published on September 15th. Stay tuned and register for our newsletter to stay up to date.