When Your Child Turned 18, Your Legal Authority
Changed Overnight.
It doesn’t matter if they still live at home, rely on you financially or still look to you first when making important choices.
In the eyes of the law, your “baby” is an independent adult.
Do not go another day without Young Adult Protection Plan Documents. For only $129 you can access three essential legal documents every parent of an adult child should have in place.
You’ve spent 18 years making sure your child is safe.
You’ve gone to doctors’ appointments. Signed permission slips. Managed their finances.
Made important decisions when they were sick or injured.
Maybe you’re packing them up for college.
If your child is over 18 years old, they are a legal adult.
If something unexpected happens and without proper documentation in place, you could find yourself unable to help in the ways you might assume you can. If you really think about it … it’s terrifying.
As someone who has worked within the legal system for decades — and more importantly, as a parent of a young adult myself — I never wanted to be helpless, excluded or unprepared in the worst of circumstances.
If you’ve read this far, you probably never want to feel that way either. I’ve designed my Young Adult Protection Plan documents for families just like yours.
What if your adult child has a serious accident?
Imagine getting the phone call every parent dreads: “Your child has been seriously injured.”
They’re in a hospital, unable to communicate.
Doctors need important medical information. Decisions need to be made.
You rush to be by their side.
Along with the medical crisis, you realize there’s another problem. And it’s a problem that could have been prevented.
Young Adult Protection Plan Documents: What’s Included
Our Young Adult Protection Plan Documents provide the critical documents your family can use to establish important legal authority before your child heads off to college, moves into their first apartment or begins life on their own.
You’ll receive three essential estate planning documents (outlined below) and detailed instructions. You do not need to be a legal expert to complete the forms. And, in going through the process with your young adult child, you might even find that talking through their wishes and perspectives together is an experience that brings you closer.
For just $129, you’ll receive a fillable PDF moments after purchase. Together with your adult child, you can complete a Medical Power of Attorney; Advance Medical Directive / Living Will; and Durable Financial Power of Attorney.
Once all documents are properly completed in their entirety and notarized, your Plan will be legally valid in either Florida or Pennsylvania.
✓ Medical Power of Attorney
This document allows your young adult to designate someone they trust to make healthcare decisions on their behalf if they become unable to make those decisions themselves.
✓ Advance Medical Directive / Living Will
This document helps your young adult document their wishes regarding certain medical care and end-of-life decisions if they cannot communicate those wishes on their own.
✓ Durable Financial Power of Attorney
This document allows your young adult to designate someone they trust to handle certain financial and legal matters on their behalf if they are unable to do so.
Three documents.
One digital download designed to protect the young adult(s) you love.
You may not automatically have the legal authority to make medical decisions for your adult child simply because you are their parent.
You might encounter restrictions when trying to access protected medical information or manage financial matters on their behalf. This turns an already terrifying situation into a complicated legal and financial problem — fast.
Trust me, you do not want to try and figure this out in a crisis.
Get the right documents in place before an emergency ever happens.
Being prepared is so much more affordable than you might think.
I am so committed to getting these comprehensive documents into the hands of as many families as possible that I am offering my Young Adult Protection Plan Documents at a limited time discount of $129 (usually $250).
These Young Adult Protection Plan documents were personally drafted by me, Attorney Shelley Centini — and not AI — to specifically protect families who reside in Florida or Pennsylvania.
These Plan documents have been drafted by Shelley L. Centini, Esq., specifically for Florida and Pennsylvania residents
ABOUT SHELLEY CENTINI
After litigating for 20 years, I know how to use the court system—and when to avoid it.
For years, I was successfully guiding people experiencing legal conflicts through the court system, representing thousands of criminal clients and winning millions of dollars for civil clients. When the world experienced a COVID-driven upheaval in 2020, courts shut down and the system came to a grinding halt.
Tragic stories of young people dying from COVID and related illnesses hit home. Worse, as an attorney, I knew so many young families were completely unprepared. They did not have guardianships set up for their children and there was no estate plan. Some who did have a plan were shocked when that plan failed.
At the time, I was a mom of a minor child (who has now grown into an amazing young adult) and what I came to realize is that planning is not something you do for yourself. It is something you do for the people you love the most.
Doing something today (like downloading my fillable Young Adult Protection Plan Documents) is 100% better than doing nothing at all.
I am so proud of you for taking this step.
Shelley Centini, Esq., (pictured with her college-aged son) is a 10 Time Nationally Recognized Super Lawyer® and sole owner of Centini Law. Her law firm focuses on trust-based estate planning for individuals and families in Florida and Pennsylvania.
Click here to learn more about Shelley and hear her personal story.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
You may continue to support your child financially and emotionally but turning 18 generally changes their legal status. Parents should not assume that they automatically retain the same authority over their 18-year-old child they had when their child was a minor.
-
I certainly think so. In fact, the easiest time to think clearly, make important decisions together and put these documents in place is when your child is safe and healthy.
Unfortunately, no one, no matter how young, vibrant, and careful they are, is immune to an accident in their lifetime. When your child is preparing to leave the nest or when they turn 18, open a discussion about these topics and document those choices.
With this digital download, you will have the structure and legal documents to help your family avoid a costly and emotional court process. You're also setting a solid example and demonstrating the importance of making proactive financial and legal decisions.
These documents are intended to prepare for unexpected situations before a crisis occurs.
-
First, don’t panic. I’d recommend purchasing your Young Adult Protection Plan documents today and talking through the questions in each document with your adult child. Listen to their perspectives and understand why they want to respond to each section in a certain way.
If you won’t see your child for a few weeks, ask a notary about their process for notarizing documents when signers are in different locations. You can also search for an online notary service that can handle situations when the signers are in different locations.
I’m a lawyer — not a notary — so I can’t guarantee what any specific notary’s responses or fees may be. But I can tell you that tech-enabled options are available to help you get these important documents completed and notarized sooner than later!
-
These Young Adult Protection Plan digital documents are intended to provide basic estate planning documents for young adults in Florida and Pennsylvania. These Plans are meant to start conversations and provide a legal framework to help protect a young person if they are incapacitated or unable to make decisions on their own.
For complex situations or personalized legal advice, consulting a qualified estate planning attorney is recommended. Laws and requirements can vary by state and individual circumstances.
-
These Plans have been drawn up for Florida and Pennsylvania residents by Shelley Centini, Esq., who is licensed to practice law in both states. If your young adult is not located at school in Florida or Pennsylvania or is not a Florida or Pennsylvania resident, do not purchase these documents.
-
The ready-to-complete Young Adult Protection Plan Digital Download document is available for a one-time purchase fee. From time to time, we do offer these documents at a discounted cost. If any limited time pricing or offers have expired, the Plans will still be available online at their regular price.
Any additional costs for notarization (which is required to ensure legal validity of properly completed documents) are not included in the cost of the digital download available for purchase on this website.
Notary fees will vary based on your preferred notary, location and state.
-
Young Adult Protection Plan documents should be completed after your adult child’s 18th birthday and, ideally, before they leave home for college or their own apartment. It is especially important to have the appropriate Plan documents prepared and notarized before an emergency occurs — and in case the importance of planning accidentally slips from your mind.
-
Once you purchase the ready-to-complete PDF, the files are yours. Saving the original blank version on your computer or external hard drive and completing a separate version with your young adult child is recommended. If you need to make changes to the document, simply pull up the file, edit the appropriate sections and print a new copy. Re-complete the notarization process to result in new, updated and legally binding documents.
Once the new Plan documents are notarized, shredding your old documents is recommended to avoid any confusion in the future. It is good practice to review Plan documents at least annually. Relationships, perspectives and wishes do evolve over time, so reviewing periodically makes logical sense.
-
You are free to take any approach you’re comfortable with. However, when it comes to legal documents, children and family, I personally do not cut any corners or recommend anyone to “DIY” critical documents that can have a huge impact on people’s lives. If you’ve read this far, I doubt that you really want to take any unnecessary chances with what you value most either.
-
Great question. I also offer essential Kids' Guardianship Guide documents to help safeguard your family when it comes to the care of your child(ren) should something happen to you. These documents can help ensure your children are never left in the hands of strangers, an agency or anyone you wouldn't want caring for them if you were ever incapacitated and unable to make critical decisions.
Despite popular belief, a will is not the sole safeguard you need if you have minor children. A will only becomes operative after you die, so naming a guardian in your will does not cover a situation when you may be incapacitated, hospitalized or seriously injured — essentially alive yet unable to care for your children.
Download the Florida Kids’ Guardianship Guide or Pennsylvania Kids’ Guardianship Guide today, and connect with a notary to help you finalize these documents as soon as possible. You'll be so glad you did!
Do you have a specific question related to Young Adult Protection Plan Documents that isn’t answered above?
Click here to contact me directly.
Your questions are important, and I will get back to you in a few business days.
Protect Who Matters No Matter their Age
Along with my Young Adult Protection Plan Documents (for individuals 18 and over), I am also offering Kids’ Guardianship Guides (for minor children) at a discounted cost for a limited time.
Be sure to choose the appropriate product for your state and child’s age.
Documents for Young Adults
(18 years and older):
Estate planning is critical to protect children of all ages, but what happens the moment your child goes from a 17-year-old child to an 18-year-old legal adult?
Whether you think they’re mature enough or ready for this kind of independence or responsibility does not matter. Legally, many areas of their life that were once under your control will become entirely their responsibility on their 18th birthday.
Here’s something to think about. If your 18-year-old were to get into a severe car accident and require hospitalization, you would no longer have the automatic authority to make decisions about their medical treatment or manage their financial affairs. Without legal documentation, you wouldn’t even be able to access your child’s medical records or bank accounts without a court order.
We've created our Young Adult Protection Plan Documents to deal with this vulnerability.
These basic — but vital — estate planning documents will help your family avoid an expensive, stressful, and unnecessary court process.
Our Young Adult Protection Plan digital download includes:
1. Medical Power of Attorney: A medical power of attorney is an advance healthcare directive that allows your child to grant you (or someone else) the immediate legal authority to make healthcare decisions on their behalf if they become incapacitated and cannot make these decisions themselves. If they are incapacitated in a car accident or fall into a coma due to a debilitating illness, a medical power of attorney allows you to legally make decisions on your child's behalf. Without a medical power of attorney, a court may have to become involved for you to make decisions or get information.
In medical emergencies, time is of the essence. A court process will be the absolute last thing you want to think about.
Also, due to HIPAA (health care privacy) laws, once your child turns 18, no one — not even their parents — can legally access their medical records without prior written permission. But, a properly drafted medical power of attorney will include a signed HIPAA authorization so you can immediately access your child’s medical records to make informed decisions about their treatment.
2. Advance Medical Directive (Living Will): This advance directive provides specific guidance about how medical decisions should be made, particularly at the end of life. A living will allows your child to decide if and when they want life support removed should they ever require it. In addition to documenting how your child wants their medical care managed, a living will can also include instructions about who should visit them in the hospital and even what kind of food they would want.
One of the most powerful parts about creating a living will is the opportunity to have open conversations with your child about what THEY would want to happen in a challenging and emotionally charged situation. Once you know how they feel and think about topics like intubation, ventilators, experimental medications, and organ donation, you’d never have to make an excruciating healthcare decision alone, always wondering what they would have wanted.
3. Durable Financial Power of Attorney: If your adult child is incapacitated, you'll likely need the ability to access and manage their finances and legal affairs. This permission can be granted through a durable financial power of attorney. Durable financial power of attorney allows you to pay their tuition, apply for student loans, pay rent, negotiate a lease, manage their bank accounts, and collect government benefits if necessary. Without this document, you would have to petition the court for such authority, which takes time and spikes everyone's stress levels even more.
Start Adulthood on The Right Track
No one, no matter how young, vibrant, and careful they are, is immune to an accident in their lifetime. Before your kids leave the nest or turn 18, open a discussion about these topics and document those choices. With this digital download, you will have the structure and legal documents approved for use in PA to help your family avoid a costly and emotional court process. You're also setting a solid example and demonstrating the importance of making proactive financial and legal choices.
NOTE: These documents are usable by Pennsylvania residents only and require notarization. If you are not a Pennsylvania resident, these forms are not guaranteed to be valid in your state.
Estate planning is critical to protect children of all ages, but what happens the moment your child goes from a 17-year-old child to an 18-year-old legal adult?
Whether you think they’re mature enough or ready for this kind of independence or responsibility does not matter. Legally, many areas of their life that were once under your control will become entirely their responsibility on their 18th birthday.
Here’s something to think about. If your 18-year-old were to get into a severe car accident and require hospitalization, you would no longer have the automatic authority to make decisions about their medical treatment or manage their financial affairs. Without legal documentation, you wouldn’t even be able to access your child’s medical records or bank accounts without a court order.
We've created our Young Adult Protection Plan Documents to deal with this vulnerability.
These basic — but vital — estate planning documents will help your family avoid an expensive, stressful, and unnecessary court process.
Our Young Adult Protection Plan digital download includes:
1. Medical Power of Attorney: A medical power of attorney is an advance healthcare directive that allows your child to grant you (or someone else) the immediate legal authority to make healthcare decisions on their behalf if they become incapacitated and cannot make these decisions themselves. If they are incapacitated in a car accident or fall into a coma due to a debilitating illness, a medical power of attorney allows you to legally make decisions on your child's behalf. Without a medical power of attorney, a court may have to become involved for you to make decisions or get information.
In medical emergencies, time is of the essence. A court process will be the absolute last thing you want to think about.
Also, due to HIPAA (health care privacy) laws, once your child turns 18, no one — not even their parents — can legally access their medical records without prior written permission. But, a properly drafted medical power of attorney will include a signed HIPAA authorization so you can immediately access your child’s medical records to make informed decisions about their treatment.
2. Advance Medical Directive (Living Will): This advance directive provides specific guidance about how medical decisions should be made, particularly at the end of life. A living will allows your child to decide if and when they want life support removed should they ever require it. In addition to documenting how your child wants their medical care managed, a living will can also include instructions about who should visit them in the hospital and even what kind of food they would want.
One of the most powerful parts about creating a living will is the opportunity to have open conversations with your child about what THEY would want to happen in a challenging and emotionally charged situation. Once you know how they feel and think about topics like intubation, ventilators, experimental medications, and organ donation, you’d never have to make an excruciating healthcare decision alone, always wondering what they would have wanted.
3. Durable Financial Power of Attorney: If your adult child is incapacitated, you'll likely need the ability to access and manage their finances and legal affairs. This permission can be granted through a durable financial power of attorney. Durable financial power of attorney allows you to pay their tuition, apply for student loans, pay rent, negotiate a lease, manage their bank accounts, and collect government benefits if necessary. Without this document, you would have to petition the court for such authority, which takes time and spikes everyone's stress levels even more.
Start Adulthood on The Right Track
No one, no matter how young, vibrant, and careful they are, is immune to an accident in their lifetime. Before your kids leave the nest or turn 18, open a discussion about these topics and document those choices. With this digital download, you will have the structure and legal documents approved for use in Florida to help your family avoid a costly and emotional court process. You're also setting a solid example and demonstrating the importance of making proactive financial and legal choices.
NOTE: These documents are usable by Florida residents only and require notarization. If you are not a Florida resident, these forms are not guaranteed to be valid in your state.
Documents for Minor Children:
If something were to happen to you, how could you ensure your children are never left in the hands of strangers, an agency or anyone you wouldn't want caring for them?
Despite popular belief, naming a guardian in your will doesn't cut it in cases where you may be incapacitated, hospitalized or seriously injured — leaving you alive yet unable to care for your children.
Remember, wills are only operative after death.
These essential Kids' Guardianship Guide documents will safeguard your family when it comes to the care of your child(ren) should something happen to you.
Download them today, and connect with a notary to help you finalize these documents as soon as possible. You'll be so glad you did!
NOTE: These documents are usable by Florida residents only and require notarization. If you are not a Florida resident, these forms are not guaranteed to be valid in your state.
If something were to happen to you, how could you ensure your children are never left in the hands of strangers, an agency or anyone you wouldn't want caring for them?
Despite popular belief, naming a guardian in your will doesn't cut it in cases where you may be incapacitated, hospitalized or seriously injured — leaving you alive yet unable to care for your children.
Remember, wills are only operative after death.
These essential Kids' Guardianship Guide documents will safeguard your family when it comes to the care of your child(ren) should something happen to you.
Download them today, and connect with a notary to help you finalize these documents as soon as possible. You'll be so glad you did!
NOTE: These documents are usable by Pennsylvania residents only and require notarization. If you are not a Pennsylvania resident, these forms are not guaranteed to be valid in your state.