Your child is headed off to College and has just turned 18.  Regardless of the realities, your child is an "adult" by law.

What does this mean for you?   It means that all the things you used to handle for your son or daughter without even thinking, suddenly you're unable to do.  As an adult, they are no longer subject to parental authority in the eyes of the law.   If your child has any kind of medical treatment, you now have no access to their records without their consent.  You will likely be unable to speak with their medical insurance provider, even if you are still paying for their health insurance.  You will be unable to make bank and financial transactions in the same manner you could before they turned 18.

What is the solution?   Your child needs a Power of Attorney for General and Financial matters and another Power of Attorney for Health Care Decisions.   These are relatively simple documents which will enable you to handle your son or daughter's Financial and Health Care matters in the event that they are unable -- whether due to injury, illness or just being away at school in another state.

If you child is headed to college, we strongly advise that you discuss these matters with them prior to them leaving for the next semester.