We spend a lot of energy thinking about Power of Attorney for our elders — and almost none thinking about our young adults. But here’s a truth most families never hear until it’s too late: the day your child turns 18, you lose the automatic legal right to make decisions for them.
The gap no one talks about
Being a parent — or the next of kin — doesn’t automatically grant legal authority once someone is a legal adult. If your 19-year-old is in a car accident and can’t communicate, a hospital may not be able to share information with you or let you make decisions, even though you’re their parent. Being “mom” or “dad” isn’t a legal credential anymore.
Who is your young adult’s decision-maker?
Ask any 18-to-35-year-old who their Power of Attorney or healthcare directive names, and you’ll almost always get a blank stare. They don’t have one. And that means:
- No one is legally authorized to make medical decisions if they’re incapacitated
- Parents may be shut out by privacy laws (HIPAA)
- Families can be forced into court just to help their own child
What every young adult should have
It’s simple and inexpensive to fix. Two documents cover most of it:
- A healthcare Power of Attorney, naming who can make medical decisions
- A durable financial Power of Attorney, so someone can manage practical matters (rent, accounts, school) during a crisis
For a college student living away from home, these aren’t optional extras — they’re basic protection.
Make it a family conversation
This isn’t about expecting the worst. It’s the same reason we wear seatbelts: a small, one-time step that quietly protects the people we love. If you’re a parent of a young adult — or a young adult yourself — putting these documents in place is one of the most responsible things you can do.
The POA Handbook explains exactly how these documents work in your state, for every age and stage.
_This article is plain-English education, not legal advice. Power of Attorney law varies by state, and reading it does not create an attorney–client relationship. For guidance on your specific situation, talk with a licensed attorney in your state._