Why does an 18 year old need an estate plan?

Once someone turns 18 years old, they are an adult. Full stop.

As an adult, no one can make financial or medical decisions on your behalf — unless you give them that right, or a court gives them that right on your behalf. Your parent cannot make decisions for you unless you affirmatively take steps to ensure that they can!

You give someone the right to make financial or medical decisions on your behalf by executing (signing) a power of attorney: a financial power of attorney (also called a durable power of attorney, also called a property power of attorney) and a healthcare power of attorney (also called a healthcare directive).

What happens if you're over 18 years old and you don't have a power of attorney? Your loved one has to go to probate court to get the right to be able to make decisions on your behalf. Yes, even if it's just a temporary situation. Who wants to go to court to do something that you can take care of now?

Please contact me for a complimentary consultation to find out if you only need powers of attorney or if you may benefit from a more complete estate plan.