Power of Attorney for rising college freshman?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My friend hit a teen with his car. Her parents were out of town when she was at the hospital. Because her parents were not around to provide direction, the doctors had to decide. As a result, she lost a limb.

So, yeah, we will get the paperwork done.

DP

Ok, how would her parents having POA have helped in this case?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can download and fill out all the forms free online at powerofattorney.doc or something like it. These need to be notarized
Durable Power of attorney health directive
Durable Power of attorney financial



Can get and have notarized
HIPAA release form

Good luck!

Excellent, free way to download these forms. FERPA forms are freely available on each college's website.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All the posts that are commenting how unlikely it is to need such forms are focused on the more acute emergencies.

Here is a different take. My 18 year old college freshman was diagnosed during his first semester with a condition that is chronic and that affected his daily life due to the symptoms, risks and medications involved. There was no sign of this happening prior. It was sudden and while not life threatening, needed immediate attention. He attens college over 1,500 miles away and as a STEM major was incredibly busy with classes and deadlines.

Having a Medical POA already in hand allowed us to assist him with follow-up about lab testing, setting up prescription services and advocating for help when he developed a serious side effect from the medications. Could he do all of that on his own while miles away, not sure of where the best medical professionals are and not feeling well all while working his ass off to not fail a class? Sure. But during a difficult time in our son's life we are thankful we had the foresight to set up the paperwork to step in and help him long distance when he needed (and asked for) it.

I have a similar situation. But it’s unusual and under these circumstances you can get a POA signed if you need it. Also I find that each specialist has their own special form and won’t accept a generic one.

I and family members have not found this to be true at all.

[Anonymous]

I work at an estate planning firm and wish I can share the many client situations where parents wish they had a medical poa drawn up for their 18+ child.
When my kids are college bound, I assure you that they will have the documents needed.

That said, it can be very expensive to go the law firm route. There are options online.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCUM parents have officially jumped the shark. Y’all are just plain nuts.

Or maybe you are just unfamiliar with the benefit of having these legal protections? I became familiar when our parents declined and needed care. They had already set up most of the necessary documents as part of life/estate planning. (We were recommended to do the same for ourselves when we were married and had children). It's important for any adult to have documents in place that indicate who they trust to speak on their behalf if medical care is needed while they are incapacitated (and not just for DNR).

Aging parents are different than college students.

[Anonymous]

Will you cut your kid off financially if they don't agree to your demand for POA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Will you cut your kid off financially if they don't agree to your demand for POA?

Not OP - but a parent that has forms ready to be signed at notary. If they don't want our help, then it'll be their loss if it's needed. Ours might do this, just because they are contrary as much at any possible point lately. We will recommend it (again - they wouldn't sign before beach week) and see how it goes.

[Anonymous]

My son signed one within a day or two of turning 18. He has mental health issues and I wasn’t sending him to college without that.

[Anonymous]

I had my DD signed with notary, mama bear forms. In a folder and a copy on my phone. Easy peasy.

I will not use them unless there is an emergency. DD is very independent and we don’t overstep but we are there when she needs us. Lots of adjusting at this age, lots of contrariness in some situations but this was a non-issue good idea. Not sure what exactly the potential downside is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are insane. Next of kin gets talked to if the patient is incapacitated. Unless your kid got married without telling you, that's you

No they don't. HIPPA laws and privacy. You won't be consulted for treatment for an adult without the POA.

Not if a patient is incapacitated (OP's scenerio)

"In cases where the individual is incapacitated, a covered entity may share the individual’s information with the family member or other person if the covered entity determines, based on professional judgment, that the disclosure is in the best interest of the individual."

https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/faq/2069/under-hipaa-when-can-a-family-member/index.html

Why would a family leave this decision to an unknown future doctor when they could have the legal authority all buttoned up and ready to go?

Because nearest relatives making decisions is standard when a patient is unable to make decisions for themselves. Do you have a POA for your spouse? Do your kids have POAs for you and your spouse in case you're both in a car accident?

Of course I have both financial and health care POAs for my spouse. Our children are minors but my POA specifies which of my siblings should be in charge if DH dies and I am in a coma.

How else will someone manage my IRAs/pay bills, etc. I don't want my family to jump through guardianship hoops

[Anonymous]

PSA: There's no need to pay anyone for durable POA forms. Just search
durable POA form [state name] 2023

Here's one for WA.
https://www.washingtonlawhelp.org/resource/questions-and-answers-on-powers-of-attorney

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Someone told me today that I need to get a Power of Attorney for my kid who is going to college this fall. The scenario raised was that if DS was somehow incapacitated a hospital would not be able to talk with me (his parent) about his care as he is over 18. I'm sure there are many lawyers on this board (as well as college parents of course) - thoughts?

Thanks.

Please do it. We learned the hard way and no doctor would talk to us or give us any information about DS condition.

I have heard from parents at DC’s university, that, when their child had an emergency, the hospital did ask for the medical POA before they would discuss the kid’s medical situation directly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are insane. Next of kin gets talked to if the patient is incapacitated. Unless your kid got married without telling you, that's you

No they don't. HIPPA laws and privacy. You won't be consulted for treatment for an adult without the POA.

Not if a patient is incapacitated (OP's scenerio)

"In cases where the individual is incapacitated, a covered entity may share the individual’s information with the family member or other person if the covered entity determines, based on professional judgment, that the disclosure is in the best interest of the individual."

https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/faq/2069/under-hipaa-when-can-a-family-member/index.html

Why would a family leave this decision to an unknown future doctor when they could have the legal authority all buttoned up and ready to go?

Because nearest relatives making decisions is standard when a patient is unable to make decisions for themselves. Do you have a POA for your spouse? Do your kids have POAs for you and your spouse in case you're both in a car accident?

Yes, I do have a POA for my spouse. Everyone should.

[Anonymous]

Can I use PoA to get access to my child's records and grades that the university won't give me?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All the posts that are commenting how unlikely it is to need such forms are focused on the more acute emergencies.

Here is a different take. My 18 year old college freshman was diagnosed during his first semester with a condition that is chronic and that affected his daily life due to the symptoms, risks and medications involved. There was no sign of this happening prior. It was sudden and while not life threatening, needed immediate attention. He attens college over 1,500 miles away and as a STEM major was incredibly busy with classes and deadlines.

Having a Medical POA already in hand allowed us to assist him with follow-up about lab testing, setting up prescription services and advocating for help when he developed a serious side effect from the medications. Could he do all of that on his own while miles away, not sure of where the best medical professionals are and not feeling well all while working his ass off to not fail a class? Sure. But during a difficult time in our son's life we are thankful we had the foresight to set up the paperwork to step in and help him long distance when he needed (and asked for) it.

I have a similar situation. But it’s unusual and under these circumstances you can get a POA signed if you need it. Also I find that each specialist has their own special form and won’t accept a generic one.

I and family members have not found this to be true at all.

+100