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Most parents assume that turning 18 just means celebrating a milestone, moving into a dorm, or maybe getting a first apartment. But legally, it’s a line in the sand — and if you’re not prepared, that birthday can create some unexpected challenges.

That’s exactly what happened to Anne and Mike, parents of a college freshman named Luke. About three weeks after dropping him off at school, they got a call no parent wants: Luke had been in a bike accident and was taken to the ER.

Panicked, Anne called the hospital — and hit a wall.

“We can’t give out medical information without patient consent,” the nurse said.

Anne pleaded, “But I’m his mother!” It didn’t matter. Luke was 18 now, and legally, she had no right to his medical information.

Thankfully, Luke recovered — but Anne and Mike were left shaken and frustrated. They realized too late that once their son became a legal adult, the rules around decision-making and privacy had changed completely.

Before your child turns 18, state laws give parents automatic authority to make medical decisions and access records. Doctors, hospitals, and schools recognize you as the legal guardian.

But the day your child turns 18, that authority disappears. They are now an adult in the eyes of the law, and three key things happen:

In other words: the door closes unless your young adult chooses to open it again.

The good news? A few simple documents can restore your ability to help your child when it matters most:

You can use the official Illinois Statutory Short Form Power of Attorney for Property to designate someone to act on your behalf for financial and property decisions. This is a key document that allows your young adult to name you (or someone they trust) to make medical decisions if they’re ever incapacitated.

Under the federal HIPAA privacy rules, hospitals and doctors cannot share protected health information with anyone — even parents — unless the adult patient gives written consent. A HIPPA Authorization Gives you the legal right to access medical records and updates — even if they’re awake, alert, and making their own decisions.

Under the federal FERPA law, once your child turns 18 or starts college, you lose automatic access to their grades, tuition records, and disciplinary files unless they authorize it. A FERPA waiver allows you to see educational records, grades, and financial information if needed.

These aren’t just “nice-to-have” documents — they can make an enormous difference in real-life emergencies:

Too many families think of estate planning as something you do later in life, but as Anne and Mike discovered, it’s just as critical when your kids are stepping into adulthood. Planning isn’t about controlling your child — it’s about giving them, and you, a safety net when life throws the unexpected at you.

If your child is approaching 18, now’s the time to act. A few simple documents can make sure you’re not locked out when they need you most.

We’ve created a free resource to help you get started: The Estate Planning Confidence Guide. It walks you through the documents every family should have, explains your options, and shows you how to build a plan that works.

Don’t wait until an emergency to find out you’ve lost your rights. Start planning today — your future self (and your child) will thank you.

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When the unexpected happens, your family shouldn’t have to guess:

That’s why I created the Estate Planning Confidence Organizer—a simple tool to help you record all the essential details that only you know.

Start with a free sample, or get the full version on Amazon.

Want to see what’s inside? Get a free sample of the Estate Planning Confidence Organizer—just enter your name and email below.

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Ready to get completely organized? The full version of the Estate Planning Confidence Organizer is available on Amazon for just $4.99.

It includes everything you need to leave clear instructions for your loved ones—contacts, account access, document locations, funeral wishes, and more.

With fillable pages, helpful prompts, and a clean, professional layout, it’s an easy way to take the next step in your estate planning journey.