Although many adults still do not possess the necessary components of a basic estate plan, it’s important for everyone of all ages to consider how some critical documents can assist them if they were to become suddenly incapacitated or to help your family members in the event that you pass away.
Even an 18-year-old can benefit from estate plans and this issue is often raised in the context of an 18-year-old going off to college. While the parents may still make many of the medical decisions within the family for that child, once the child reaches age 18, legally they are an individual adult. Therefore, a parent cannot step in in an emergency unless the appropriate paperwork has been created and put together to allow the parent to assist. Powers of attorney, for example, could enable a parent to step in in a medical emergency. There are other reasons why even teenagers should have the most basic of estate planning documents.
It’s rarely about money for 18 year olds but rather the administrative aspects of life. Having parents enabled to step in and manage a social media account that has items that were written or photographed by your loved one is important, but necessary passwords and security questions need to be provided for.
Empowering someone else with the eligibility to step in and obtain this information upon the death of a teenager can make things easier for family members in a very difficult situation.
Use an estate planning lawyer in Pasadena to draft the information you’ll need to keep track of your future.
