Sending a Child to College? Add Estate Planning to Your Back-to-School Checklist

August is filled with college checklists.

Tuition payments. Dorm supplies. Laptops. Textbooks. Meal plans. Move-in dates.

But there’s another important item many Connecticut families may not think about before sending a child to college: basic estate and incapacity planning documents.

Once your child turns 18, they are legally an adult. That change can affect a parent's ability to access certain information or make decisions on their behalf if an unexpected medical or financial situation occurs.

Before move-in day, it may be worth having a conversation about the legal documents every young adult should consider.

Why Turning 18 Changes Things

Parents spend years making medical, educational, and financial decisions for their children. When a child becomes a legal adult, however, parents no longer automatically have the same authority.

If your college student were seriously injured, hospitalized, studying away from home, or otherwise unable to handle their own affairs, having appropriate legal documents already in place can make a difficult situation easier to navigate.

1. Health Care Instructions and Authorization

A college-age adult may want documents in place addressing who can assist with health care decisions if they become unable to make those decisions themselves.

Depending on the circumstances and applicable law, additional authorization may also be useful for accessing or discussing protected medical information.

These documents can be especially important for students attending college away from home.

2. Durable Power of Attorney

A durable power of attorney can authorize a trusted person to handle specified financial or legal matters.

For a college student, that could become useful if an illness, injury, travel, or another unexpected circumstance prevents them from handling important matters personally.

The appropriate authority and scope should be discussed with an attorney so the document reflects the student's individual needs.

3. A Will

Estate planning isn't only for people who own a home or have substantial wealth.

Young adults may already have bank accounts, vehicles, investments, personal belongings, digital assets, or other property. A will can provide direction about how certain assets should be handled after death.

It's also an opportunity to begin thinking responsibly about long-term financial and legal planning.

Estate Planning Is a Conversation for the Whole Family

Sending a child to college marks an exciting transition toward independence. It's also a natural time for parents to review their own plans.

Have you updated your will recently?

Are your powers of attorney and health care documents current?

Have there been major changes in your family, property, finances, or beneficiaries?

Back-to-school season can serve as an annual reminder to make sure your family's legal planning still reflects your life today.

Make Legal Planning Part of College Preparation

No family wants to imagine an emergency happening while a child is away at school. Planning isn't about expecting the worst. It's about making sure the people you trust can help when help is needed.

Before the car is packed and move-in day arrives, consider adding a conversation with an estate planning attorney to your family's college checklist.

The Pellegrino Law Firm has been serving individuals and families in Connecticut since 1929. Our attorneys can help you understand which estate planning documents may be appropriate for your college-age child and review your family's existing plan.

Schedule an estate planning consultation with The Pellegrino Law Firm and start the school year with greater confidence.

This article is provided for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Individual circumstances vary, and you should consult an attorney regarding your specific situation.