Protect your adult kids

By Patricia Nugent

Parents getting their kids ready to send off to college are inundated with countless considerations this month, like getting their schedules set, dorm room furnishings finalized and last-minute wardrobe planning.

But while they’re doing that, they should also consider getting a healthcare power of attorney.

Like it or not, even though you are probably paying for their medical insurance and college fees, if you don’t have a healthcare power of attorney in place before they leave, you cannot make medical decisions if something happens.

“Children over 18 years of age are considered legal adults,” explains local estate planning expert Attorney Margaret T. Karl. “If there’s a car accident or sickness, parents cannot communicate with any medical practitioners about their care or make any decisions about treatment.”

She has known clients who have gone through “parents’ worst nightmare” scenarios of having a child become sick or incapacitated across the country or abroad and not being able to communicate with doctors.

The good news is that obtaining a healthcare power of attorney is easy and affordable (under $100). All Margie needs is your names and addresses and she can draft the document for you to have notarized at her office, or elsewhere, or signed by two disinterested witnesses.

“I tell people to hang onto the original and make copies to give to the doctor,” she says.

Margaret T. Karl, Attorney at Law is located at 25800 North Depot Street, Suite 102, in Olmsted Falls. Call 440-782-5051 or visit OlmstedOhioLaw.com.