Estate Planning for New College Students

Sending your child off to college is a major milestone. Between packing, financial prep, and campus goodbyes, it’s easy to miss one important detail: your college-aged child is now a legal adult. 

Many parents don’t realize that once their child turns 18, health care providers, banks, and even colleges are limited in what they can share—unless proper legal forms are in place. Without them, something as simple as confirming your child is okay after an accident or helping with a financial aid issue can turn into a drawn-out and frustrating process.

This is why many families complete a basic estate planning package for new college students. It’s not about writing a will or planning for worst-case scenarios. It’s about giving your child a safety net and giving yourself peace of mind.

Protecting Health Decisions and Information

The most common estate planning documents for college students are a HIPAA release and a health care proxy. These forms go hand-in-hand and serve slightly different but equally important purposes.

A HIPAA release allows your child to name someone—often a parent—who can access their private medical information. Without this form, health care providers are prohibited from sharing details about your child’s condition, even in an emergency.

A health care proxy, sometimes called a health care power of attorney, goes a step further. It gives the named individual the legal authority to make medical decisions if your child is incapacitated. Whether your child is undergoing surgery, unconscious after an accident, or dealing with a mental health crisis, this document ensures someone they trust can speak on their behalf.

This is also a valuable opportunity to talk with your child about their preferences for end-of-life care or organ donation. It may not be an easy conversation, but having it now—before a crisis—can make future decisions more clear and respectful of their wishes.

Handling Academic and Financial Matters

Health care isn’t the only area where access becomes limited once a child turns 18. Schools, banks, and landlords generally won’t communicate with parents without a valid legal document in place. That’s where a durable power of attorney comes in.

This document allows your child to appoint someone to handle their legal or financial matters. It can be used in a wide range of scenarios, including:

• Accessing or managing bank accounts
• Paying tuition or handling billing issues
• Dealing with student loans or scholarship paperwork
• Signing legal documents related to housing or travel
• Representing them in an emergency while studying abroad

It doesn’t give you full control over your child’s decisions or finances—it simply creates a backstop for moments when they might need help and can’t act for themselves. For example, if your student is hospitalized and tuition is due, you can make the payment on their behalf. If they need a lease signed while away, you can handle it quickly.

A power of attorney can be broad or narrow in scope and can take effect immediately or only when needed. We help families choose the right structure based on their goals.

A Practical Gift for a Major Life Transition

Preparing these documents is a practical way to support your child as they take on more responsibility and independence. It also gives them a chance to participate in their own planning process, helping them understand what it means to be legally responsible for themselves.

At Sowerby & Moustakis Law, we offer a New College Student Affordable Estate Planning Package designed specifically for this transition. 

It includes:

• A HIPAA release
• A health care proxy
• A durable power of attorney

Start the School Year with Peace of Mind

Estate planning may not be on most college checklists, but it should be. With just a few key documents, you can make sure your child is protected—and that you’re legally able to step in if something goes wrong. 

At Sowerby & Moustakis Law, we’re based in New Hampshire and deeply understand the needs of local families. Contact us right now to schedule your New College Student Affordable Estate Planning Package before the semester begins. It’s one of the simplest, most meaningful ways to support your child’s next big chapter.