b'College Checklist:1. Laptop2. Textbooks3. Health Care DirectiveI do not remember much about my high school graduation. I doparticipate in important decisions, access information, or make not remember the words of wisdom imparted upon me andhealth care decisions in the event of an emergency. To that end, my fellow graduates or even receiving my diploma. What I dochildren who are 18 years of age should complete and sign remember is that midway through my senior year I became anpowers of attorney and health care directives prior to leaving for adult. I no longer needed a note signed by my parents justifyingcollege, starting a gap-year, or traveling abroad.my tardiness or authorizing me to leave school early. My parentsPower of Attorney did not need to attend my doctor appointments or co-own my bank account with me. While I was confident in my ability toA power of attorney is a document through which a person manage my own affairs, I imagine my parents felt differentlyauthorizes another person to act on his or her behalf in a variety about my adult status and ability to make my own decisions.of situations. A power of attorney allows a parent to handle financial issues, including banking and insurance matters, on behalf of a child if the child is unavailable or incapacitated. Children who are 18 years of age shouldcomplete and sign powers of attorney andHealth Care Directive health care directives prior to leaving forA health care directive allows a child to appoint an agent tocollege, starting a gap-year, or traveling abroad.act on the childs behalf if he or she cannot act. For example, if the child is unconscious or otherwise unable to communicate High school graduation is an important milestone for parentshis or her wishes relative to health care, the agent identi ed in and children alikeit is the platform from which children launchthe health care directive will have the authority to make those to pursue additional education, employment opportunities, andnecessary health care decisions. Such decisions may include other adventures. However, regardless of the path they choose,selecting medical facilities, a treatment plan, or end-of-life care. high school graduates are now adults in the eyes of the law.These young adults have independent decision-making authority.If you or your children have any questions about powers They have the ability to own property, enter into bindingof attorney, health care directives, or the steps to agreements, and control who has access to their personalimplement these documents, please contact a member information (e.g., medical, academic, and financial records).of Moss & Barnetts Wealth Preservation and Estate Absent deliberate steps to preserve the ability to participate in andPlanning group.make decisions on behalf of their child, parents could be excluded and precluded from helping make these decisions.Nick Kaster is a member of our Business Law group and Regardless of the age of their children, parents plan, workour Wealth Preservation and Estate Planning group. He hard, and make countless sacri ces to ensure that their childrenfocuseshispracticeonestateplanningforsimpletocomplex estates as well as estate and trust administration have the opportunity to succeed. As children embark on newand business succession planning. adventures and undertake new endeavors, it is important for612-877-5444 | Nicholas.Kaster@lawmoss.comthem to make sure their parents or other trusted individuals canLawMoss.com/people-nicholas-j-kaster5'