When your child turns 18, they’re legally considered an adult, even though they still have plenty of growing up to do (whether they believe it or not!). At this age, their health and financial information becomes protected under privacy laws. While they’re now legally an adult, they’re still your child, and you naturally want to support them in a crisis. However, unless you’ve planned ahead, you may be unable to step in when they need you most.
As an estate planning attorney, I often see families taken by surprise when they learn this. Many parents assume they’ll always have a say in their child’s medical or financial matters. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Legally, you have no more access to your child’s medical and financial information than you do to a stranger’s—and that can be a harsh realization.
The good news is that with the right planning, you can ensure you’re able to step in and support your newly minted adult if something unexpected happens. Below, I’ll share three strategies to help you and your child navigate this transition smoothly while giving you peace of mind.
Strategy 1: Education
Education is the first key for a successful transition to adulthood. At my firm, I start every client relationship with education. That’s because I believe that education equals empowerment, which supports you to make the right choices for yourself and your family. Young adults also need to be empowered through education. The more you can teach your child about their new financial and legal responsibilities, the more empowered they’ll be to make the right decisions.
If you haven’t already started talking with them about legal and financial matters, now is the time. Start with a kind of budgeting we call “money mapping.” Explain the importance of tracking their income and expenses, setting financial goals, and investing wisely, both now and for the future.
Help them understand the basics of banking, such as how to use checking and savings accounts, the benefits of maintaining a good credit score, and assist them in setting up their own bank account if they don’t already have one. Explain how to avoid overdrafts and the significance of keeping track of their balance. Introduce them to how to access credit, and use it responsibly. Explain how credit cards work, the importance of paying off balances in full each month, when it’s okay to carry a balance, and the long-term benefits of building a positive credit history.
And let’s not forget your child’s new tax obligations. Teach them how to file taxes, what documents they need, and how to understand their W-2 forms, or what it means to be a 1099. Explain the importance of keeping accurate records and how to navigate basic tax software.
Health care is another critical area where your child needs education. Let your child know that you can’t make medical decisions for them and you won’t have access to their health records anymore – unless they give it to you. I’ll cover which essential documents they need in a minute, but first, let’s talk about the importance of communication in helping them document their wishes properly.

Strategy 2: Encourage Communication
Adulthood often involves having difficult conversations (as if I’m telling you anything you don’t know!). Two of those conversations to have with your child have to do with their healthcare and financial decisions in the event of an emergency.
First, let me acknowledge that even considering your child being in a medical emergency is incredibly difficult. Thinking about it, let alone talking about it, can feel overwhelming—and it’s likely to be much harder for you than for them. That’s perfectly normal. Take a deep breath and remind yourself: you’re doing this to protect and support them. You’ve got this!
After you’ve breathed your way to calm, have an open conversation about what your child would want to happen in various medical scenarios. If they became incapacitated, who would they want to make decisions on their behalf? Both parents or one of you first, then the other? Or do they want anyone else involved in the medical decisions, if they cannot make them on their own. Be open to the possibilities that they have other people in their life that they may want to include, and be glad they are telling you about it, if that’s the case.
Do they know what a ventilator is and whether they’d want one if it became an issue? What about a feeding or hydration tube? And what about resuscitation? It’s necessary to talk about these things so your child’s wishes are honored. Who would they want to have access to them, in case of an accident or an illness? Once you know the answers to these questions, you can help your child create a health care directive and medical power of attorney.
Have the same conversations about finances. Do you know which and how many financial accounts they have? If they’re in college, how will you access their account to stop tuition payments or housing payments if necessary? Will you be able to access their checking account if bills need to be paid? Your child may be reluctant to discuss these matters with you, but assure them you have no intent to violate their autonomy. You simply want to be there for them, if needed.
Strategy 3: Legal Planning
Once you and your child have had these difficult conversations, emphasize the need to get a legal plan in place so their wishes are documented and honored. At the least, your adult child’s legal plan should include the following documents:
Advanced Medical Directive.
An Advanced Medical Directive grants someone, usually you, the authority to make medical decisions on your child’s behalf if they cannot. It also outlines their medical treatment preferences in various scenarios, ensuring their wishes are respected even when they can’t voice them.
HIPAA Authorization.
The HIPAA Authorization is equally important. HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) is designed to protect patient privacy, but it can also prevent you from accessing your child’s medical information without their explicit permission. By signing a HIPAA Authorization, your child can ensure that you can speak with doctors and receive updates on their condition.
Living Will.
A Living Will is another important document to consider. This outlines your child’s wishes regarding end-of-life care, such as whether they want to receive life-sustaining treatments. Having these preferences documented can provide clarity and guidance during difficult times, ensuring that their wishes are honored.
Power of Attorney.
A Power of Attorney allows your adult child to appoint someone (again, usually you) to manage their financial affairs if they are unable to do so. This can include everything from paying bills to managing bank accounts and handling investments. Without this document, you might find it difficult to step in and help when needed.
It may also be important for your adult child to have a plan in place for what happens after death. If that’s the case, they need a will or trust. Reach out to me and I can educate you and your child on whether post-death planning is needed at this stage in your child’s life.
Finally, life circumstances will change, so let your child know it’s important to review their documents regularly and update them as needed. Encourage your young adult to revisit their decisions periodically, especially if they experience significant life changes such as getting married, moving to a new state, or starting a new job. At my firm, constant contact is part of our process so our clients never have to remember on their own to update their plan. We do the remembering for you.

Your Next Step
Now that you are armed with 3 strategies for navigating your child’s transition into adulthood, your next step is to book an appointment with our firm so we can support you to have these conversations, and to get your child’s legal plan in place.
Now, before you go thinking that you don’t need an attorney and can use a cheap online tool, or even AI, I encourage you to think about what’s at stake. Your child’s health and well-being. Your child’s growth. The opportunity to teach your child about how to prioritize the things that matter most.
When I work with you, one of the best things I can do is to get to know your children as they become adults. Ideally, it will be me (or my firm) that they’ll turn to for guidance throughout their lifetime, and to be there for them, when you can’t be. No cheap legal plan can do that.
The Support You and Your Child Need
As a Personal Family Lawyer Firm, we know that navigating the transition to adulthood can be challenging, both for you and your child. Understanding the legal changes that come with turning 18 and using the 3 legal documents (and the conversations that go with them) in this article can help you provide the support and guidance your child needs. But you don’t need to navigate this transition alone. We can educate you and your child about their new legal responsibilities, support you to have hard conversations, and help your child put a legal plan in place.
Contact us to learn how our Life & Legacy Planning process supports your family to make the very best decisions about the things that matter most. Click here to schedule a 15-minute conversation:
*Please note that these information sessions are exclusively dedicated to Life & Legacy planning. If you need to schedule a consultation for other matters, please contact us here.
This article is a service of SG Law PLC, a Personal Family Lawyer® Firm. We don’t just draft documents; we ensure you make informed and empowered decisions about life and death, for yourself and the people you love. That’s why we offer a Life & Legacy Planning Session™, during which you will get more financially organized than you’ve ever been before and make all the best choices for the people you love. You can begin by calling our office today to schedule a Life & Legacy Planning Session™.
The content is sourced from Personal Family Lawyer® for use by Personal Family Lawyer® firm leaders, a source believed to be providing accurate information. This material was created for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as ERISA, tax, legal, or investment advice. If you are seeking legal advice specific to your needs, such advice services must be obtained on your own separate from this educational material.