What Every Parent Needs to Know When Their Child Turns 18

Your child becomes a legal adult at 18, but what if something happens, and they can’t speak for themselves? Would you be allowed in the room? Would you know what they’d want?

In this episode, Jill shares the powerful real-life stories of Nancy Cruzan and Terri Schiavo, and explores the legal right to terminate life-sustaining treatment.

Whether your teen is heading to college or still living at home, Jill walks you through the essential documents and conversations that can protect your child’s autonomy and give your family peace of mind.

What We Cover in This Episode:

• Why the law treats your child differently the moment they turn 18
• The story of Nancy Cruzan, and how a lack of documentation led to a prolonged legal battle all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court
• The story of Terri Schiavo, the national debate that followed, and what it revealed about end-of-life decision-making
• What “persistent vegetative state” and “clear and convincing evidence” mean
• The difference between a guardian and a guardian ad litem
• Why advance healthcare directives and healthcare powers of attorney matter, not just for older adults, but for your 18-year-old
• Conversation starters for talking to your child about medical wishes
• Jill’s personal story and why she chose her husband as her agent

Resources + Links:

• State-by-State Advance Directive Forms
• Tuesday Triage Submission

Connect with Jill:

• Website: DeathReadiness.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Subscribe to receive news and updates.
• Love this episode? Please rate and review in the Apple podcasts app!

This podcast provides estate planning guidance for women and discusses real, practical issues, from caregiving, pre-planning a funeral, how to avoid probate using beneficiary designations, planning for individuals with special needs (and special needs trusts), whether you need a professional fiduciary (trustee or executor), how the estate tax works and how to preserve your legacy.

Tuesday Triage episodes answer questions from listeners like you, from powers of attorney, healthcare advance directives (and whether they work when you’re pregnant), what a Last Will and Testament really is, whether you need a trust, how Medicaid works and how to have senior and elder care conversations and how to care for aging parents.

Disclaimer: This podcast and all related content are for educational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is established here. Use of this information without careful analysis and review by your attorney, CPA, and/or financial advisor may cause serious adverse consequences. For legal guidance tailored to your unique situation, consult with a licensed attorney in your state.