Don’t Forget These 3 Documents When Sending Your College Student Off to Campus
It’s an exciting time—full of anticipation, checklists, and college prep runs to Target. But beyond the dorm decor and mini-fridges, there’s one essential item many families overlook: legal protection. Don’t let a crisis catch you unprepared.
Once your child turns 18, you no longer have automatic access to their medical records, legal accounts, or financial matters—even if you're still the one paying the bills. It’s a jarring truth many parents discover only when there’s a crisis. Imagine your child is hundreds of miles away, and you get a call that they’re in the emergency room. Without the proper documents, you could find yourself powerless to help.
At B. Williams Mobile Notary & Apostille, I’ve worked with countless families preparing to send their children off to college. Time and again, these three documents come up as must-haves for peace of mind:
✅ Power of Attorney (POA) ✅ Health Care Directive ✅ HIPAA Authorization
Let’s break down why they matter.
1. Power of Attorney (POA): Helping with Accounts and Responsibilities
A Power of Attorney (POA) allows your student to designate a trusted adult, typically a parent, to manage their financial and administrative affairs if they're unable to do so. This document can be customized to grant specific powers, such as:
Accessing and managing bank accounts (with authorization)
Paying bills, tuition, or rent from their account
Signing tax or lease documents
Working with financial aid or housing offices
Without a POA, many institutions simply won’t speak to you, even when every minute counts.
2. Health Care Directive: Making Medical Decisions in an Emergency
This form—sometimes called a Medical Power of Attorney or Advance Directive—lets someone your child trusts (often a parent) make critical medical decisions if they become seriously ill, injured, or unconscious.
If your child is rushed to the hospital, doctors may hesitate to share updates or accept input without this document on file. A Health Care Directive ensures you're legally allowed to step in and advocate for their care when they can't.
3. HIPAA Authorization: Access to Medical Information
Even if you're listed as an emergency contact, HIPAA laws can prevent you from accessing your child's health records. A HIPAA Authorization explicitly allows healthcare professionals to release important medical information directly to you.
This includes:
Diagnoses
Test results
Hospitalization updates
Without it, you could find yourself calling the hospital and getting silence on the other end of the line, unable to get crucial updates.
When to Prepare These Documents
The best time to get everything signed is before your student leaves for school. This
proactive step ensures you can have open conversations, decide who to name on each form, and have everything legally ready before any issue arises. This avoids stressful delays when every second counts.
As a mobile notary, I’ll come to you—your home, a local coffee shop, or wherever is convenient—to notarize the documents in one smooth, stress-free visit.
A Real-Life Example of Planning Ahead
Recently, I assisted a family in updating their estate plan. With two children heading off to college, they wisely chose to include a Power of Attorney, Health Care Directive, and HIPAA Authorization for each student as part of their trust update.
This proactive step ensured that if their children ever faced an emergency far from home, they, as parents, would be legally empowered to act quickly and decisively, providing immediate support and avoiding bureaucratic roadblocks. It’s the kind of preparation that doesn’t get talked about enough but makes a huge difference.
How to Get Started: Protect Your College Student in 3 Simple Steps
Have a conversation with your student about the importance of these documents and their wishes.
Consider consulting with a licensed attorney for personalized legal guidance to ensure these documents align with your specific family needs and the laws of your state.
Schedule a mobile notary appointment to have everything signed and notarized.
That’s it. One short meeting now can save you significant time, stress, and uncertainty later.
Mobile Notary Services for Busy Families
B. Williams Mobile Notary & Apostille proudly serves families across Los Angeles and Orange County. Whether your student is moving into a dorm at UCLA, UCSB, or heading out of state to places like NYU or Howard University, I’ll “Bee Right There” to help you get prepared.
Final Thought
Sending your child to college is a huge step—for them and you. While you're packing boxes and celebrating milestones, don't forget these three documents that can protect your child and give you true peace of mind.
A Power of Attorney, Health Care Directive, and HIPAA Authorization might feel like just paperwork, but in a crisis, they're the safety net every parent hopes they’ll never need—but will be thankful to have.
Disclaimer: I am not an attorney, and the information provided in this blog is for general awareness only. It does not constitute legal advice. For personalized legal guidance, please consult a licensed attorney.
📞 Ready to schedule your mobile notary appointment in Los Angeles or Orange County? Call me at (323) 604-1812 or (714) 396-4938 or book online today!
