The Graduation Gift Many Parents Forget
Invitations? Check!
Catering order? Done!
Decorations? Ready!
Embarrassing slideshow? Absolutely!
As Jennifer wrapped up the final details for her son Daniel’s high school graduation party, she felt proud of all they’d accomplished. The milestone felt big — and so did the to-do list that came with launching a child into adulthood.
Amid the party planning, Jennifer and her husband also took care of two important tasks that aren’t typically on a graduation checklist: completing a healthcare directive and power of attorney for Daniel.
These two documents — essential components of any estate plan — are also necessities for young adults when they turn 18.
It felt a little formal, maybe even premature, but their attorney had gently suggested it. “He’s 18 now,” she’d said. “That means legally, he’s an adult. If anything unexpected happens, these documents allow you to step in and help.”
So they took an hour, filled out the forms, and tucked them away with Daniel’s college paperwork.
When Jennifer sent Daniel across the country a few months later, she received a few panicked texts about the things he wasn’t quite prepared for:
“Mom, can I wash these white shirts with my red sheets?”
“Hey! I have a headache. Tylenol or Advil?”
“Ugh! I’m so worried about my exam tomorrow!”
Thankfully, there were many things she had prepared Daniel for: he was adept at handling public transportation, advocated for himself with his professors, and quickly figured out how to communicate with a difficult roommate.
But during one of his first soccer matches of the season, Daniel collided headfirst with another player while going for a header. He collapsed on the field, disoriented and unable to speak coherently. The athletic trainer immediately called an ambulance, and he was rushed to the hospital with signs of a possible concussion and brain swelling.
When Jennifer and her husband arrived, anxious and worried, they were legally prepared. Because they had completed a healthcare directive, the hospital involved them immediately. They spoke with doctors, understood Daniel’s condition, and helped make care decisions during a critical moment.
Without a healthcare directive in place, they would have been left powerless at a time their son needed them most.
In Minnesota, a healthcare directive is a legal document allowing you to name someone to make medical decisions for you and outline your healthcare preferences if you’re unable to communicate them yourself. This is important for any adult age 18 or older.
Now Daniel is fully recovered, back in classes and on the soccer pitch. He’s ironing out tricky issues with the roommate and not ironing his laundry.
No one wants to imagine worst-case scenarios. But by taking this small legal step, Jennifer and her husband gave Daniel something invaluable: support when he needed it most.
So plan the grad party! Blow up the balloons and pick out the most embarrassing photos from gap-toothed elementary school grins and the awkward middle school braces phase. Get the playlist ready. Then schedule an appointment with Miroslavich Law. You can celebrate this incredible milestone — high school graduation — and rejoice that your young adult now has this important paperwork ready to go!
