Morrison Law Group, PLC

Estate Planning | Business Planning

Attend a Free Workshop SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION
(504) 831-2348
  • Home
  • Our Firm
    • About Our Firm
    • Attorney and Staff Profiles
    • Speaker Connection
  • Estate Planning
    • Asset Protection
    • Estate and Gift Tax Figures
    • Estate Planning Services
    • Incapacity Planning
    • IRA & Retirement Planning
    • Legacy Planning
    • Pet Planning
    • SECURE Act
    • Special Needs Planning
    • Probate and Successions
    • Veteran’s Benefits
  • Medicaid Planning
    • Emergency Medicaid & Nursing Home Planning
  • Business Planning
    • Business Planning
    • Business Succession Planning
    • Family-Owned Businesses
    • Small Business Medicaid Planning
  • Seminars
  • Resources
    • Estate Planning Resources
      • Estate Planning Definitions
      • Estate and Gift Tax Figures
      • Estate Planning Reports
      • Estate Planning Checkup
      • Is Your Estate Plan Outdated?
      • Incapacity Planning Definitions
    • Elder Law Resources
      • Are You A Caregiver?
      • Coping With Alzheimer’s
      • Guardianship & Conservatorship
      • Hospice Care
      • Elder Law Reports
      • Elder Law & Medicaid Definitions
    • Newsletters
    • Pre Consultation Form
    • Trust Administration & Probate Resources
      • Bereavement Resources
      • The Mourner’s Bill of Rights
      • Things You Need To Do When a Loved One Passes Away With a Trust
      • Things You Need To Do When a Loved One Passes Away With a Will
      • Trust Administration & Probate Definitions
      • How to Know if You Need Extra Help With Your Grieving
      • Loss of a Loved One
    • Special Needs Resources
    • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Estate Planning FAQ’s
      • Trust Administration & Probate Frequently Asked Questions
      • Legacy Wealth Planning FAQ’s
      • Frequently Asked Questions for Families Without an Estate Plan
    • DocuBank
  • Reviews
    • Our Reviews
  • Blog
  • Contact Us

Don’t Let your Child Head to College without This!

May 6, 2020 by Ronald "Chip" Morrison

Soon, James and Erica will celebrate the graduation of their youngest child, Mia, from high school. This fall, Mia will head off to Louisiana State University to pursuit a degree in nursing. In addition to the typical list of items she’ll take with her to college, Mia will be well prepared with the proper legal documents.

What’s that? You weren’t aware that college-age children need legal documents? Well, they absolutely do because in the eyes of the law (if not their parents), 18-year-olds are adults. In fact, Mia (and her older brother before her) were in our office the day after they turned 18 to sign their health care and financial documents.

Legally speaking, your legal authority does end when your child turns 18. Your child likely still relies on you to help pay some bills, but you do not have a legal right to access their medical records and assist with making healthcare decisions without authorization by your child to the healthcare provider.

The first illness away from home, your child goes to the campus doctor. When you find out they are sick, you call to understand the diagnosis and get more medical information on treatment. However, unlike before when you were driving her to the doctor’s office down the street, the doctor now tells you, “I’m sorry, I can’t give you that information, but I’m happy to take your payment for our services over the phone.”

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy rules provide patients protection with respect to their health information, including important controls over how their health information is used and disclosed by health plans and health care providers. It is to ensure strong privacy rules are followed.

Paying for the health insurance alone does not entitle you to receive information about your child’s medical treatments.

As a parent, you should talk with your child about health care and financial decisions, involving a Health Care Power of Attorney, a Financial Power of Attorney, and a HIPAA Authorization for Release of Information, are properly drafted and signed. These documents will cover how decisions are to be made if your child is unable to make medical or financial decisions for him or herself. Also, the HIPAA Authorization will allow you, as their parent to receive medical information at all times.

So, while making that dorm shopping list, add an appointment  (504-831-2348) for your child to come in and see us so they can fully understand their options for health care and financial directives. You will have peace of mind knowing you are able to receive complete information regarding your child’s medical and financial decisions, especially when you can’t be there.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Ronald
Ronald "Chip" Morrison
Ronald “Chip” Morrison, Jr. is a Board Certified Estate Planning Law Specialist as certified by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization. He is admitted to practice before all State courts in Louisiana. He is also admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Eastern and Middle District of Louisiana.
Ronald
Latest posts by Ronald "Chip" Morrison (see all)
  • Special Needs Trusts for Children with Down Syndrome - March 2, 2021
  • Medicaid Changes Make Pre-Planning Essential - February 27, 2021
  • We Welcome You to “Get Your Legal Affairs in Order. Now!” - February 25, 2021

About Ronald "Chip" Morrison

Ronald “Chip” Morrison, Jr. is a Board Certified Estate Planning Law Specialist as certified by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization. He is admitted to practice before all State courts in Louisiana. He is also admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Eastern and Middle District of Louisiana.

Morrison Law Group, PLC

Subscribe Our Blog

Address

3813 N. Causweay Blvd.
Suite 200,
Metairie, LA 70002
Phone: 5048312348

Office Hours

Monday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Evening appointments available upon request.

Map

MAP
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
MORRISON LAW GROUP

© 2021 American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy