What Legal Preparation College Students Really Need Before Move-In Day

Every August, dorms fill up with duffel bags, microwaves, and late-night nerves. Parents haul mini-fridges up narrow stairwells, get misty-eyed in the parking lot-–and drive home with an empty backseat and a full heart. What most don’t pack, but should, is paperwork that protects their child if things take an unexpected turn.

Once your child turns 18, you lose automatic legal authority to step in. Even if you’re still footing the bill, the law sees your kid as an adult. That means medical, financial, and academic systems will lock you out unless you have the right documents in place.

Durable Power of Attorney: More Than a Signature

Let’s say your student is in a skiing accident over winter break and can’t handle their own bank account or student loan issues. With a Durable Power of Attorney, you, or another named adult, can pay bills, manage accounts, or deal with the landlord without delay.

This isn’t just about big emergencies. Sometimes students study abroad or get sick during finals and need someone back home to handle everyday logistics. This document opens that door without red tape.

Healthcare Power of Attorney and HIPAA

Medical staff can’t legally share information or accept your instructions just because you're “Mom” or “Dad.” A Healthcare Power of Attorney, also called a medical proxy, legally appoints someone to make health decisions if your child can’t speak for themselves.

Even a short hospital stay can get complicated if you’re left out of the loop. This document makes sure someone who knows them and their values can step in and act.

HIPAA protects your child’s privacy, even if they’re unconscious in the ER. Without written permission, doctors often won’t confirm basic details like whether your child is being treated, or where.

A HIPAA Authorization grants you access to medical records and updates. It’s the bridge between parental concern and legal access. Add it to the stack.

FERPA Waiver

FERPA keeps academic and disciplinary records off-limits even if you’re the one paying tuition. Colleges won’t hand over grades, conduct reports, or enrollment info unless your student signs a FERPA waiver.

This may require some additional collaboration. Your college student may not want the added scrutiny after a potentially bad test grade; however, it’s more important that you’re being looped in if something’s wrong. If a student is struggling, suspended, or dropping out, a FERPA waiver makes sure you hear it from the school, not through silence.

A Basic Will—Just in Case

It sounds dramatic, but a will isn’t only for people with property or portfolios. If your child has a car, a savings account, student loans, or even digital assets like social media or cryptocurrency, a will helps avoid complications.

A will can also name who gets sentimental items, like a guitar or photo collection. It’s a small step that spares the family from scrambling through legal hoops later.

The Peace of Mind You Didn’t Know You Needed

A toothbrush, some clean sheets, and a signed HIPAA form. All part of the college starter pack no one talks about. Taking care of these documents isn’t pessimistic—it’s practical.



At McGrath Law Office, P.C., we help families check these off the list before move-in day. Want to make sure your student is protected before move-in day? We’ll help you get the right documents in place so you can send them off with confidence. Call our Mackinaw office at 309-359-3461 or our Morton office at 309-266-6211 to make sure your student is set up—not just for school, but for whatever life throws their way.