Do College Students From the State of Washington Need a Power of Attorney?

Maybe you’re preparing for your college student son or daughter to return from a semester of college for Thanksgiving or winter break. Or maybe you’re planning ahead to send your newly accepted student to his or her freshman year of college next year. Whether your child is attending college in Washington State or out of state, there may be something you are forgetting to pack with them: a Power of Attorney. Many colleges are now adding “Power of Attorney” to their list of things parents and students need to think about when starting college and it’s something you should take some time to discuss with your student, and a lawyer, before an unfortunate situation arises.

Starting college often means a child is turning 18 years old… which mean you may not be able to make decisions on your child’s behalf or access information about them as easily as you could when they were a minor. So what happens when your child is away at school and an issue arises back at home? Or if there is a medical emergency and you want information about your child’s status? If your child (the principal) has a Power of Attorney in place, naming you an Attorney-In-Fact (their agent), you may not have to worry.

So what should your student have?

Durable Power of Attorney: Your child can authorize you to handle financial affairs on his or her behalf if you are named the Attorney in Fact under his or her Power of Attorney. This means you can pay bills, apply for government benefits, and open or close financial accounts as needed on your child’s behalf.

Health Care Power of Attorney: Being named an Attorney in Fact under your child’s Medical Power of Attorney means you are authorized to make medical decisions on your child’s behalf if he or she is incapacitated or unable to do. As your child’s agent, you would also have access to medical records and be able to speak to health care professionals about your child’s medical issues.

The hope is that you and your child never have to use these documents, but just having them in place can make the transition into college a lot easier and less frustrating when a financial or health issues arises.

If you and your child are ready to discuss having a Power of Attorney in place, be sure to contact an Estate Planning attorney at Edmonds Law Firm Beresford Booth.

BERESFORD BOOTH has made this content available to the general public for informational purposes only.  The information on this site is not intended to convey legal opinions or legal advice.