When your child turns 18 years of age, he or she is a bona-fide adult. This means that Mom or Dad cannot step in and make medical decisions for their newly minted adult children.
I've written about this before, but your children who are just turning 18 really need to have an Advance Health Care Directive in place. This is reinforced by Jane Bryant Quinn's latest essay on "As Kids Grow, So Do Risks" in this week's issue of Newsweek magazine.
Jane Bryant Quinn writes:
"Did you know that you lose control over your child's medical decisions when he reaches 18? He's entirely in charge. If he can't choose (say, he's in a coma), the doctors will stabilize him. After that, it all depends. ... But what if the parents are separated and disagree? ... To clear the path, your 18-year-old should put two decisions in writing. First, how he wants to be treated if he's in a permanent vegetative state or terminally ill. ... And second, who should make health-care decisions if he's unable to speak for himself ... Ideally, these documents will be drawn up by a lawyer..."
In California, only one document is needed for medical decision making: an Advance Health Care Directive.
This document allows you to nominate who should make medical decisions for you in the event you are unable to do so and you can also state your wishes for end of life decisions including life support, organ donation, authorizing an autopsy and making your choice known for disposition of your remains.
Kind of a gruesome topic to talk to your 18 year old about, but a necessary one especially if your child still wants Mom or Dad to handle his or her affairs until they get a bit older or get married.
What do I do with stock, savings bonds and IRA that are in my child's name (in custody of an adult) when she turns 18?
Posted by: DB | March 02, 2009 at 07:13 PM
Wonderful magazine. And I agree with that adolescents 18 have a guide as to various aspects of life.
Posted by: Online Affiliate Marketing | September 08, 2009 at 06:38 AM
I have never found an extraordinary magazine like this!!!!!!!!Please keep your excellent work!!!!
Posted by: Beautiful Women Smoking Cigars | September 10, 2009 at 02:44 PM
But at 18 years of your child he will be responsible for this own health.
Posted by: Healthy Recipes | September 14, 2009 at 06:39 AM
I don't think mom or dad lose control over their child's medical decisions when he/she reaches 18. it just children grow and they're taking their own decisions on everything, but always with the support of parents.
Posted by: Online Pharmacy | September 28, 2009 at 03:22 PM
18 it's a very hard age.It's difficult to deal with these young people
Posted by: Soft Cialis | October 09, 2009 at 02:48 PM
n_n
nice site, really interesting!!
LOVE [KAT]
Posted by: Cheapest Cialis | October 13, 2009 at 10:37 AM
jaja, 18 is a beautiful age!!
is youth itself!!
And they are not difficult, we make them difficult, they just follow what we do!
;)
Tati
Posted by: Generic Cialis Online | October 14, 2009 at 10:21 AM
wonderful post!!
i really enjoy this article, thank you so much
debra
Posted by: Buy Vardenafil | October 16, 2009 at 11:30 AM
wonderful post!!
i really enjoy this article, thank you so much
debra
Posted by: Buy Vardenafil | October 16, 2009 at 11:30 AM
That is an important document for that guys, what they have to do to get it?
Posted by: Testosterone Therapy | October 22, 2009 at 04:01 PM
That's a great idea, I will talk with my son about this.
Posted by: Generic Viagra | October 30, 2009 at 10:45 AM
yes I think like you, but they need more care on the sex-health area!
danielle
Posted by: Viagra No Prescription | November 06, 2009 at 08:48 AM
yes teens = hormones!!
lol
Posted by: Generic propecia | November 09, 2009 at 05:50 AM
to me be teen is the best!!
;)
i do crazy things and no one blame me for it!!!
haha
because I still "can't think as an adult!
hahahahaha
vivi
Posted by: Online Viagra | November 10, 2009 at 09:28 AM
I really enjoy reading this!
my children are both over 18, and since then they think they know perfectly well this world
hahaha
|katha|
Posted by: Viagra Online | November 12, 2009 at 07:55 AM
A very important information for all parents with children of this age, just as young people who read the information he can teach their parents, is for the benefit of all.
Posted by: Buy Zenegra | November 17, 2009 at 12:04 PM
Have 18 years it's not easy, all we know that...
Posted by: Erectile Dysfunction | November 18, 2009 at 08:21 AM
I just want to emphasize the good work on this blog, has excellent views and a clear vision of what you are looking for.
Posted by: Soft Cialis | November 24, 2009 at 08:02 AM
I really like your ideas about posting comments. i am a new for blog posting and i just like your thoughtful post
Posted by: Generic Viagra | November 26, 2009 at 06:09 AM
Yeah, California is great state.
Posted by: Viagra Online | November 30, 2009 at 05:46 AM