Guiding Families with 18+ Children: Essential Documents Advisors Should Recommend

For many families, turning 18 is a celebrated milestone—legal adulthood, new independence, and the exciting transition into college, work, military service, or travel. But with that transition comes a major legal shift that most parents don’t fully understand:

Once a child turns 18, parents no longer have automatic authority to assist with medical, financial, academic, or legal matters.

This gap often remains unnoticed until a crisis occurs—and by then, the consequences can be stressful, costly, and preventable.

As a trusted advisor, you are uniquely positioned to help families plan ahead and avoid unnecessary complications. By guiding them to put the right documents in place when their child turns 18, you add value, strengthen trust, and further protect the family’s overall well-being.

Why Advisors Should Raise This Topic

Parents assume that “being the parent” is enough to step in if their young adult needs help. In reality, without legal authorization, they may be:

• Denied medical information or updates
  
• Blocked from communicating with healthcare providers
  
• Unable to access academic or financial information
  
• Forced to go to court to obtain conservatorship just to assist their own child

Advisors who educate families about this shift demonstrate proactive care and foresight—qualities clients highly value.

The Core 18+ Documents Advisors Should Be Recommending

Every young adult should have the following essential legal documents in place:

1. Advance Healthcare Directive & HIPAA Authorization

Ensures the young adult has chosen who can make medical decisions if they cannot, and who may speak with doctors or obtain medical updates.

2. Durable Power of Attorney (Financial/Legal)

Allows a parent or trusted adult to help with finances, housing, tuition, banking, tax matters, or legal decisions if the young adult is unavailable or incapacitated.

3. FERPA Release

For college students, this provides permission for schools to share academic and administrative information with parents.

4. Basic Will

Clarifies personal property wishes and provides direction for digital accounts and electronic assets—something many families overlook.

These documents give parents the legal ability to support their child in urgent or practical situations, without unnecessary delays or court involvement.

When Advisors Should Introduce the Conversation

The topic fits seamlessly into natural planning milestones, such as:

• High school graduation meetings
  
• College financial planning discussions
  
• Back-to-school or off-to-college checklists
  
• Annual family review meetings
  
• When clients’ children start working, renting, or traveling independently
  

Framing it as a safety and continuity of support topic helps clients immediately understand the value.

How to Introduce This as a Value-Add Conversation

Here’s sample language advisors can use:

“Now that your child is over 18, the law considers them a legal adult. If they ever needed help—especially medically—you wouldn’t have automatic access to information. There are a few simple documents that can protect them and allow you to step in if needed. Would you like resources on getting that set up?”

This positions you as a caring advisor who thinks beyond financial matters and sees the full family picture.

A Turn-Key Solution You Can Refer Families To

For families who want a comprehensive, guided approach, a Young Adult Emergency Plan® provides:

• Legally-binding documents granting parents the ability to help
  
• An emergency plan outlining steps and backups
  
• A secure way to store and access documents quickly
  
• Legal counsel for guidance throughout the process
  

Referring clients to a structured solution saves them time, reduces confusion, and ensures proper execution.

A Small Step That Makes a Big Impact

Advisors know that the most effective planning happens before a crisis, not during one. Guiding parents to legally prepare their young adult protects:

• the child
• the family
• the plan you’ve helped build

Bringing this subject to your clients reinforces your role as a family-centered advisor who safeguards not just finances—but futures, relationships, and peace of mind.