Page 30 - Southern Exposure - March '24

Page 30, Southern Exposure

elder estate PlannIng

Planning Needed For Your College Bound Child

What You Need To Know Before Your Child Leaves For College

Submitted by Anné Desormier-Cartwright, Esq..
Before your child leaves child’s academic career. There are both state and federal The content of this article is general and should not be
for college, most of us laws that give rights to a parent if certain forms are signed. relied upon without review of your specific circumstances by
create a “to-do list” of This is authorized under the protect the Family Educational competent legal counsel. Reliance on the information herein
things we must do to prepare Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). In order to have access, is at your own risk, as it expresses no opinion by the firm
the offspring for college the appropriate forms under the FERPA process need to on your specific circumstances or legal needs. An attorney
life. Things like sheets, be signed. Call 1-800-USA-LEARN (1-800-872-5327) for client relationship is not created through the information
pillows, shower curtain, more information. provided herein.
towels, small refrigerator, If you want help with preparing the necessary documents To comply with the U.S. Treasury regulations, we must
etc. Something you may not for making health care decisions and access to financial inform you that (i) any U.S. federal tax advice contained
realize is your child is now matters, please contact us. in this newsletter was not intended or written to be used,
an adult and you no longer If you have questions about this or your estate plan and and cannot be used, by any person for the purpose of
have access to medical what documents are necessary, schedule a free consultation avoiding U.S. federal tax penalties that may be imposed
information unless you are named in documents by your today by calling our office at (561) 694-7827, Anné Desormier- on such person and (ii) each taxpayer should seek advice
child. What if your child is involved in an accident or Cartwright, Esq., Elder and Estate Planning Attorneys PA, 480 from their tax advisor based on the taxpayer’s particular
is away on a trip and becomes very ill? Who has access Maplewood Drive, Suite 3, Jupiter, FL 33458. circumstances.
to your adult child’s medical records? Who can make
decisions for them?
1. Have a designation of health care surrogate for your
child. Children may be not want their parents to know what
their medical situation is but in an emergency, most would.
Consider talking to your children about designating you as
their health care decision maker. In Florida, you can create a
document that allows you to make decisions if your child is
not able to make a decision. Although there are statutes that
govern the order of who can make the decisions, it will take
time to track down who the parents are and, more importantly,
each have the right to decide. If the parents are divorced, it
may be best to give one that priority in the document so there
is not conflict should emergency decisions need to be made.
It is best to discuss these matters with your child. 747-PALM
2. Access to medical information. Unless your name is
on the medical release form giving you the right to medical 747-7256
information, you will have no access to that information.
You should have a discussion with your college bound child
about allowing you to be named on a HIPAA release form
which gives written consent for doctors to discuss the child’s
medical situation with you at any time. This form can be
faxed or emailed to a provider when there is an emergency.
3. Financial powers. Children may not want their parents
to have access to financial records like bank accounts.
However, there are options like a limited financial power
of attorney. Unlike health care surrogate designations,
durable power of attorneys, even if limited, are effective
immediately upon signing per Florida law.
4. Access to college information. Children may not
want their parents to have access to grades, discipline
actions and the like. If you are paying for college, you still
do not have the automatic right to information about your

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you have been negligent in
doing so. Please keep our
community beautiful!

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A girl’s trip by Olivia and Alex to Europe
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If you are looking for a trip of a lifetime,
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