The freshman five: Planning essentials before heading to college

If your son or daughter is heading to college, you have undoubtedly created a long checklist of essentials to set them on the right path. From financing their education over the years to practical logistics like transportation or bedding for their dorm room, many items on your ‘to do’ list are most likely getting checked off as your child’s departure date nears. But before sending them off, take some time to consider several important, yet often overlooked, legal and financial issues.

Send your child off with the right documents in place

It is important to understand that an 18-year-old college student is usually considered a legal adult. You might feel like the same parent you have always been, but your legal right to make decisions for your child changes abruptly. Except in unusual circumstances, you will no longer have automatic access to your child’s health, financial and education records—including grades, schedules, illnesses and financial accounts—even if you are paying their tuition. Privacy laws will limit your ability to obtain this information, even if you truly need it. If it is ever necessary for you to step in and make important health or financial decisions for your child, establishing your legal ability to do so ahead of time can be critical.

We recommend taking the following steps before your child heads to school:

1. Name a health care proxy

Have your child sign a health care proxy (also referred to as a durable power of attorney for health care) appointing you or another responsible adult with the power to make medical decisions if necessary. Without one, you might need court approval to act on his or her behalf if your child is in an accident and becomes disabled, even temporarily. Even in less serious situations, privacy laws may prevent doctors from sharing information about your child’s condition if you do not have a signed health care proxy. You should consider providing your child with a card to keep in their wallet or with their phone indicating they have appointed you as their health care proxy and providing your contact information.

2. Appoint a durable power of attorney

Arrange for your child to sign a durable?power of attorney to appoint you, or another responsible family member or friend, as an agent to act on his or her behalf, if need be, in a variety of financial and legal matters. For example, if your child is studying abroad for a semester, having a power of attorney makes it easier for you to contact the local embassy or wire money from your child’s bank account. It could also be important if you need to sign a legal document, such as a lease, in your child’s absence.

3. Consider a will

Most young people, including college students, don’t need a will because their assets are modest, and intestacy laws typically provide that a parent will receive a child’s property if the child dies without a spouse or children of their own. Nevertheless, a will can be worth considering if your child has significant assets and you do not want their assets potentially to end up in your estate. If your child is a trust beneficiary, you should review the terms of the trust to determine how the property would be distributed in their absence and whether there is any flexibility to adjust that distribution. In some cases, it may make sense for a child to exercise their “power of appointment” over the trust property to better align the terms of the trust with your family’s general estate plan.

4. Understand cybersecurity

College is a good time to learn responsible banking habits and to understand cybersecurity. Make sure your child knows his or her dorm room, student lounge or library are not secure. They must remember to keep their banking account login information confidential and to always log off after use. Your child should understand basic ways to prevent fraud, such as never providing their social security number and not opening suspicious emails. Your child should also understand the immediate steps they need to take if they are the target of online fraud.

5. Obtain a credit card

Obtaining a credit card can be difficult for students. In the past, young adults could get started with their own credit cards as soon as they got to college. Today, the Credit CARD Act generally requires anyone under 21 to have a co-signer, unless they are earning enough income to repay the debt. Since most college students are not able to earn enough to meet this requirement, a co-signer is often required. If parents co-sign, they are ultimately responsible for making payments on their child’s card. Parents sometimes simply do not want to take the risk of their child overspending or failing to make payments. However, holding a credit card has several benefits for college students. Landlords, prospective employers and even cell phone providers may want to look at your child’s credit report as part of a background check. Establishing a strong credit score during college is important, especially for life after graduation. Also, possessing a credit card can offer security if your child runs into an emergency situation far from home.

Sending your child off to college with these essential items in place can provide you with peace of mind and offer your child added security.

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