One More Thing To Pack in that Suitcase Before Your College Student Leaves for School
By Amy C. Quigg
When most people think about powers of attorney (POA), they picture elderly individuals planning for end-of-life care or managing estate affairs. But powers of attorney are just as critical — arguably even more so — for college students stepping into adulthood, especially those living away from home. Although it may seem premature, giving a parent or trusted adult legal authority to act on their behalf can make all the difference in emergencies.
What Is a Power of Attorney?
A power of attorney is a legal document that a person, your child (the “principal”), empowers another person (usually a parent, as the “agent” or “attorney-in-fact”) to act on behalf of or make decisions on their behalf. There are two main types relevant to college students:
Healthcare Power of Attorney (or Medical POA): Allows someone to make medical decisions if the student is in an accident or falls ill.
Financial Power of Attorney: Allows someone to manage financial matters, such as banking, signing checks, or handling leases and tuition payments.
These documents can be broad or limited in scope and duration, depending on the student’s preferences. In Pennsylvania, power of attorney documents are governed by Chapter 56 of Title 20 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes (20 Pa.C.S.A. §5601-5614). This statute outlines all of the legal requirements for a valid power of attorney.
Why College Students Need a POA
1. They’re Legal Adults
Once a child turns 18, parents no longer have the automatic right to access their medical or financial information. This means if your 19-year-old is in the hospital after an accident, you might not be able to speak with doctors or make decisions unless a healthcare POA is in place.
2. Medical Emergencies Happen
College life involves increased independence, but it also brings new risks – sports injuries, mental health crises, car accidents, and more. However, due to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), medical providers are legally prohibited from sharing your adult child’s medical information with you without their explicit consent – even if you are the one paying the insurance. A healthcare POA ensures someone the student trusts can speak to medical staff, access records, and make critical decisions without delay.
3. They May Be Far From Home
If a student is out of state or abroad, handling routine or urgent matters – such as renewing a lease, accessing a locked bank account, obtaining replacement debit or credit cards that have been lost or stolen, or even dealing with identity theft — can be difficult. A financial POA allows a parent or trusted individual to handle these matters efficiently.
4. It’s Better to Be Prepared
Creating powers of attorney is a simple step that can prevent significant complications later. In emergencies, families without POAs may have to go through lengthy and costly court proceedings to gain guardianship.
How to Get Started
Creating a POA is relatively easy and inexpensive. Our office provides a Student POA package which includes a Healthcare POA and a Financial POA. Please call our office at 215-661-0400 and ask to speak with one of our attorneys in the Estates and Trusts Department to assist you and discuss our draft packages.
Final Thoughts
College is a time of growth and independence – but with that independence comes responsibility. Powers of attorney are not about controlling a student’s life; they’re about ensuring that if something unexpected happens, someone the student trusts can act quickly and effectively. It’s a simple yet powerful way to protect a young adult during one of the most exciting—and vulnerable—chapters of their life. Let our team assist you and your child in taking the next step in life, with their suitcase fully packed, and provide you peace of mind while they move forward.