Law firm offers ‘Guard Your Grad’ appointments

The Askin & Hooker law firm is holding its annual “Guard Your Grad” event for new high school graduates and their parents to help them understand the importance of a health-care proxy and durable power of attorney.

The appointment-required event, which will take place throughout July and August, will provide each graduate with those two legal documents for free.

”Most parents are not aware that in many states, once a child turns 18, the parent or guardian no longer has the authority to make health-care decisions or manage money for their children,” said lawyer Bill Askin.

”If a young adult is in an accident and becomes disabled, a parent might need court approval to act on his or her behalf or to gain access to important information.”

A federal law known as HIPAA protects patient information and prevents health-care providers from disclosing medical information to anyone unless the patient expressly authorizes the disclosure or identifies a personal representative.

A health-care proxy names a person to act on the patient’s behalf to make health-care decisions and discuss treatment options if the patient becomes incapacitated.

A living will often pairs with a health-care proxy to help the proxy make decisions according to the patient’s wishes.

The durable power of attorney authorizes an agent to manage finances and sign legal documents on an individual’s behalf if the individual becomes incapacitated.

”Even though your child may be covered by your insurance policy, you will not be able to access critical medical information in case of an injury or accident while they are away at college unless your child signs important legal documents,” said lawyer Todd Hooker.

For information, go online to askinlaw.com/guard-your-grad/ or call Askin & Hooker at 973-729-7711.