Why Frankfort Parents are Rushing to Get These Done Before College Move-In

The Legal Change Most Parents Never See Coming

One day, you are signing permission slips, checking grades online, and scheduling doctor appointments for your child. Then suddenly, they turn 18. Even if they still live at home, are financially dependent on you, or are leaving for college in a few weeks, the law now considers them a legal adult. And that changes more than most parents realize.

Once your child turns 18, you may no longer have the legal right to access medical information, speak with doctors, help with financial matters, or even discuss certain issues with their college. Many families do not discover this until they are already in the middle of a stressful situation.

What Can Happen Without Proper Documents

Imagine your college student is rushed to the emergency room after an accident at school. You immediately head to the hospital expecting to help make decisions and get updates from doctors. Instead, you are told the hospital cannot legally discuss your child’s condition with you because they are now an adult.

Or imagine your child is studying abroad and their bank account is frozen after suspicious activity. You call the bank trying to help, only to learn they cannot speak with you or allow you access to the account. Parents are often surprised to learn that colleges may also refuse to discuss grades, disciplinary matters, tuition issues, or certain school records once a student turns 18. These situations are far more common than people realize.

The Four Documents Every College-Bound Student Should Consider

Power of Attorney for Healthcare

A Power of Attorney for Healthcare allows your child to appoint someone — usually a parent — to make medical decisions if they are unable to communicate on their own. Without this document, parents may have no legal authority to step in during a serious medical emergency. For many Illinois families, this is one of the most important documents to have before a child leaves for college.

HIPAA Authorization

Even if a parent is named under a healthcare power of attorney, federal privacy laws can still create issues when trying to obtain medical information. A HIPAA Authorization allows doctors, hospitals, and healthcare providers to speak openly with the people your child authorizes. Without it, parents are often frustrated to learn hospitals may refuse to discuss medical conditions, treatment updates, or even basic information.

Power of Attorney for Property

A Power of Attorney for Property allows a trusted person to help with certain financial matters if needed. That may include handling banking issues, speaking with financial institutions, dealing with fraud concerns, helping with insurance matters, or managing financial issues during travel emergencies. Many parents never think about this document until a problem arises and they realize they cannot legally assist their child.

FERPA Authorization

FERPA stands for the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Once a student turns 18 or attends college, federal law generally gives the student control over their educational records. That means parents may lose access to things like grades, tuition information, academic warnings, disciplinary matters, and certain financial aid discussions. A FERPA Authorization allows the student to give the school permission to speak with parents or release certain educational information. Unlike powers of attorney, FERPA authorizations are often handled directly through the college or university. Many schools include FERPA permissions inside the student portal during enrollment or orientation. The student simply logs in and authorizes certain individuals — usually parents — to access specified information. Some colleges require separate forms, either online or paper forms signed by the student.

Because every school handles FERPA slightly differently, families should check directly with the college before move-in day to understand that school’s process and requirements.

This Is Not About Taking Away Independence

Many parents worry these documents feel intrusive. In reality, most families view them as a safety net. Hopefully, they are never needed. But if something unexpected happens, these documents can make an enormous difference in how quickly and smoothly a family is able to respond. Think of it the same way you think about car insurance. You hope you never need it, but you are grateful to have it if something goes wrong.

A Simple Step That Can Protect Your Family

One of the best times to put these documents in place is before college move-in day, before studying abroad, or before a child begins living independently. The process is usually straightforward, but the peace of mind it provides can be invaluable for both parents and students. For many Illinois families, this is one of those things they simply do not know they need — until it is too late.

Final Thoughts for Illinois Parents

Your child turning 18 is an exciting milestone filled with independence, opportunity, and new beginnings. But it is also an important legal transition that deserves attention.

A few simple documents today can help protect your family tomorrow. At  Marketti Law Firm, we help Illinois families put these protections in place in a warm, straightforward, and stress-free way so parents can send their children off to college with greater confidence and peace of mind. If you need help putting these documents in place please call our office today at 815-443-4767.