Wade Law Blog

Graduating into Adulthood: Why Your 18-Year-Old Needs Basic Estate Planning Documents

Aug 20, 2025| BY: Wade Law Offices

Graduating into Adulthood

Turning 18 is a major milestone for your child — and for you as a parent. It marks the transition into legal adulthood, bringing exciting opportunities and new responsibilities. What many parents don’t realize, however, is that once your child becomes a legal adult, you no longer have automatic authority to make medical or financial decisions on their behalf.

This means that if your young adult is in an accident, hospitalized, or unable to communicate, doctors may not be able to share critical health information with you. Similarly, you wouldn’t have the legal authority to manage their finances or pay bills on their behalf unless you’ve taken steps to put certain documents in place.

That’s why it’s important to encourage your young adult to have basic estate planning documents prepared — so you can continue to provide support when it’s needed most.

Here are three key documents every parent should consider for their 18-year-old:

  1. Durable Power of Attorney

    If an unexpected situation arises, this document gives a trusted person the authority to handle financial matters, such as managing bank accounts, paying bills, or signing important documents.

  2. HIPAA Release Form

    Medical privacy laws (HIPAA) prevent doctors from sharing health information with parents once a child turns 18. A signed HIPAA release ensures you can access important medical updates in case of an emergency.

  3. Advance Health Care Directive

    This allows your young adult to document their health care preferences in advance, removing uncertainty in stressful medical situations.

Estate planning isn’t just for older adults. It’s an important step in protecting your child’s future, no matter their age. If your son or daughter is about to turn 18 — or already has — now is the perfect time to put these protections in place. At Wade Law Offices, we guide families through every stage of the estate planning process, including preparing documents that safeguard young adults. Give us a call today to get started — the best time to plan is before you need it.

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We support individuals and families with comprehensive planning solutions. Our attorneys have diverse backgrounds, with experience handling small estates, very large estates and executing advanced planning techniques. We are able to advise clients at all stages of life, from starting a business to planning for future care to administering an estate. You will have an attorney who listens carefully and provides strong, practical and thoughtful guidance.