Ditch the Drama, Ace the Docs: Estate Planning Essentials for College Students (and Their Parents!)
- Travis Gasper
- Aug 4
- 3 min read
So, You're Off to College! (And Not Just Packing Ramen)
Headed to campus with dreams, dorm gear, and enough snacks to survive finals week? Amazing. But don’t skip the real must-haves: your adulting paperwork—specifically, estate planning documents that protect you (and your parents) once you turn 18.
Yes, we know. Estate planning sounds like something for millionaires or retirees. But if you’re legally an adult, especially one living away from home, you need a few key documents in place—just in case.
Here’s what every college student should have before setting foot on campus:
I. The Legal Lifesavers: 4 Documents Every College Student Needs
🏥 1. Medical Power of Attorney (MPOA)
If you’re in an accident or hospitalized, your parents can’t automatically step in to help make medical decisions. An MPOA lets you legally name someone (usually a parent or close adult) to speak for you if you’re unable.
✅ Bonus: Add a backup agent too, just in case your primary is unavailable.
🔐 2. HIPAA Authorization
Even if your parents pay your tuition or insurance, HIPAA privacy laws lock them out of your medical records once you turn 18. This simple form gives your chosen person access to your health information, test results, and treatment status—essential in emergencies.
📞 This document ensures someone can call the hospital and actually get answers.
💳 3. Durable (Financial) Power of Attorney
Need someone to manage your bank account, pay your rent, or sign financial paperwork if you're sick or studying abroad? This gives your trusted adult the power to handle business on your behalf—temporarily or long-term.
💡 Especially helpful if you're attending school out of state or traveling internationally.
🧾 4. FERPA Waiver (Optional)
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) blocks access to your academic records—even for parents. Signing a FERPA waiver means your parents can speak with your school about grades, transcripts, or tuition bills if you want them to.
📘 You control what access they get and for how long.
II. Going the Extra Mile: Optional Docs for Extra Peace of Mind
📝 Basic Will
If you own anything meaningful—bank accounts, a car, digital assets (yes, TikTok royalties count!)—a simple Will can make sure your belongings go where you want. It’s not morbid. It’s mature.
🐶 Pet Care Instructions
Bringing a furry friend to college or leaving one at home? You can include pet care wishes in your Will or as a separate note with your documents.
III. Why Parents Should Care (Even If Their Kid Rolls Their Eyes)
Emergencies don’t wait. Accidents happen. Without legal documents, parents may face red tape or court delays just trying to help.
Privacy laws are real. Schools and hospitals aren’t being difficult—laws like HIPAA and FERPA are designed to protect students.
It’s a grown-up milestone. Signing these documents signals that your child is taking adult responsibility seriously. It’s empowering.
IV. How to Get These Docs (Without Drama)
You don’t need a trust fund to create a solid legal foundation. Many estate planning law firms offer affordable student packages or digital services that make it easy to sign and store these forms.
🧠 Pro Tip: Make sure originals are stored securely (not under the dorm bed!) and keep scanned copies in a shared digital folder for easy access.
V. The Bottom Line: Plan Ahead So You Can Focus on What Matters
Whether you're a student or a proud parent, estate planning documents are one of the smartest, most protective things you can take care of before the first day of class.
Because when life happens—and it will—you’ll be glad you took 30 minutes to put the right papers in place.
Need help getting started? We offer peace-of-mind estate planning for students and families across Texas. Let’s make this transition smoother, together. We’ll meet in person or on Zoom, answer your questions, and walk you through our simple, flat-fee process.
Mention this blog and we’ll waive the $450 session fee!
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