What Happens Legally When Your Child Turns 18?

Graduation season is an exciting time for Maine families. Whether your child is heading to college, starting a job, joining the military, moving into their first apartment, or taking some time to figure out what comes next, turning 18 marks an important step toward independence.

It also brings a few legal changes that are worth understanding.

In Maine, once your child turns 18, they are legally considered an adult. That means they can make their own medical, financial, educational, and legal decisions. For parents, this can feel like a big shift—especially when you are still helping with tuition, insurance, housing, transportation, or everyday expenses.

This does not mean every young adult needs every document right away. Each person’s situation is different. A college student living out of state may have different needs than someone living at home and working locally. A young adult with health concerns, shared financial responsibilities, travel plans, or college paperwork may benefit from different documents than someone with a simpler situation.

The goal is not to overcomplicate things. It is simply to understand what changes at 18 and consider which documents, if any, make sense for your child’s needs.

Why Your Adult Child May Want a Health Care Power of Attorney

A Health Care Power of Attorney allows your adult child to name someone they trust to help make medical decisions if they are ever unable to make those decisions themselves.

For many families, this is simply a practical document to have in place as a young adult becomes more independent. It can be especially useful if your child is attending college away from home, traveling, living on their own, or managing more of their own appointments and health care.

A Health Care Power of Attorney can help:

• Identify who your child wants involved in medical decision-making
• Make communication with health care providers easier when appropriate
• Give your child a voice in choosing who they trust
• Provide clarity for families and medical professionals

This document is not about taking away independence. It is about helping your child decide who they would want to rely on if support is ever needed.

Financial Power of Attorney: A Practical Tool for Young Adults

A Financial Power of Attorney allows your adult child to name someone they trust to help with financial matters if needed.

This can be helpful during the transition after high school, when many young adults are learning to manage bank accounts, rent, tuition, car payments, insurance, taxes, and other responsibilities.

A Financial Power of Attorney may be useful if your child is:

• Going to college out of town or out of state
• Studying abroad
• Sharing financial responsibilities with parents
• Managing tuition, rent, or housing paperwork
• Learning to handle banking, taxes, or other accounts
• Traveling or away from home for an extended period

For Maine families, this is often less about emergencies and more about convenience, clarity, and planning ahead.

College, FERPA, and Parent Access to Information

College is another area where families often notice a legal shift.

Even if you are helping pay for college, schools generally cannot share certain education records once your child turns 18 or enrolls in college unless your child gives permission. This is because of FERPA, the federal law that protects student education records.

Many colleges have a FERPA release form or online portal where students can decide what information, if any, they want parents or other trusted people to access. This may include grades, billing information, academic records, or other student account details, depending on the school.

If your child is heading to the University of Maine System, a Maine community college, a private Maine college, or an out-of-state school, it is worth asking about that school’s specific process.

A Graduation Checklist for Maine Families

As your child prepares for life after high school, this is a great time to talk about both independence and support. You may not need every document on this list, but each one is worth considering based on your child’s plans, responsibilities, and comfort level.

Helpful topics include:

• Health Care Power of Attorney
• Financial Power of Attorney
• HIPAA authorization or medical information release
• FERPA release for college records
• Budgeting and paying bills
• Banking and credit cards
• Student loans, rent, and car expenses
• Health insurance and car insurance
• Keeping copies of important documents
• Registering to vote
• Who to contact if they need help

These conversations do not have to be scary or formal. They are simply part of helping your child step into adulthood with confidence.

Supporting Your Child’s Next Chapter

Turning 18 does not mean your child no longer needs your guidance. It simply means the legal relationship changes.

Having the right documents in place, when appropriate, can make it easier for parents and young adults to navigate this transition together. Powers of Attorney, health care releases, and college privacy forms can help clarify roles, respect your child’s independence, and make sure support is available when it is wanted or needed.

For graduating seniors and college-bound students, these documents can be part of a thoughtful launch plan. Some young adults may benefit from several of these tools, while others may only need one or two—or may simply need a conversation about what to consider.

Let Aging in Maine Help Your Family Prepare

At Aging in Maine, we help families prepare for life’s transitions with practical, easy-to-understand legal planning.

If your child is turning 18, graduating from high school, or getting ready for college, we can help your family understand which documents may be helpful, which ones may not be necessary, and what makes sense for your child’s individual situation.

Call us today at (207) 848-5600 to schedule a consultation.