A Lawyer Mom Guide from Shannon K. Salvatoriello, Esq.
Once your child turns 18, being Mom or Dad may not be enough. You may no longer automatically have access to medical information, college records, financial accounts, or the authority to step in when they need help.
Imagine your adult child is unconscious in a hospital. You’re standing right there — but being Mom or Dad does not by itself give you full access to their medical information or the authority to make medical decisions for them. A college may refuse to discuss grades, scholarships, or financial aid with you, and you could be blocked from resolving an insurance or banking issue because you don’t have the authority to act for your child.
You don’t want to learn about these documents for the first time in the middle of an emergency.
Inside, you’ll learn about:
- Medical Power of Attorney
- HIPAA Authorization
- Financial Power of Attorney
- FERPA Consent
- Living Will
- Will
- what they do, why they matter, and where to start.
The 50-State Legal Resource Directory includes clickable links to official or reputable state resources — including, when available, links to state-specific forms and guidance for the documents covered in this guide — so you can quickly see where to start in your own state.
Not every state publishes an official form for every document, so the resources available will vary by state.
Where available by state, you’ll also find links to legal-aid and other resources that may provide free or low-cost legal assistance.
It also includes clickable links to national resources from trusted legal, government, and educational organizations.
Already have an 18+ child? It’s not too late. And this guide isn’t just for parents — adults of any age can also use it to better understand these documents for themselves and for their own parents.