Taxation & Estate Planning

Powers of Attorney for College Students

By Joel A. Schoenmeyer

Last week I was getting my teeth cleaned (no cavities -- yippee!). My dental hygienist has a college-age daughter, and one of her friends recently had a drinking "accident" (fell while drunk, and had to be hospitalized with a broken leg). Because this friend is 18 years old, his parents didn't find out about the hospitalization until their son told them (presumably he didn't want them to be surprised by the hospital bills).

This type of thing always surprises me. If I'm a parent and paying ridiculous sums to State U., shouldn't I have the right to know about my child's well-being? The law says no, but there's a way around the law: have your child sign a power of attorney for health care with one or both parents as agents, and make the power of attorney effective immediately. Then, furnish a copy of the power of attorney to the campus health center. Now -- presto! You have the right to find out about your child's health and well-being.

Full post as published by Death and Taxes Blog on March 20, 2008 (boomark / email).