763.450.1639

A Turning-18 Checklist

Turning 18 is a major milestone—but it’s about more than visiting a casino or buying a scratch-off ticket. Once a person becomes a legal adult, new rights, responsibilities, and liabilities come into play. Whether you’re about to turn 18, recently did, or you’re the parent of a soon-to-be adult, it’s worth understanding what changes.

Essential Legal Documents for New Adults

Estate planning isn’t just for older adults or people with significant wealth. Every adult benefits from having core documents in place. And while you must be 18 to sign them, you don’t need to wait until your birthday to start the drafting process—you can have everything ready to sign on the day you become an adult.

Below are the key documents every newly-turned-18-year-old should consider.

Health Care Directive

The moment someone turns 18, their personal health information becomes fully protected by HIPAA. That means medical providers cannot legally speak with parents or anyone else without proper authorization.

While many providers offer simple HIPAA authorization forms, some situations may require a full, notarized Health Care Directive. More importantly, accidents or unexpected illnesses can leave a person unable to make their own medical decisions. A Health Care Directive allows you to:

  • Name a Health Care Agent to make decisions on your behalf

  • Outline your wishes in writing

  • Avoid delays or confusion during emergencies

Power of Attorney

A Power of Attorney allows you to appoint someone to manage your finances if you are unable to do so. This could mean paying bills, managing accounts, or helping with more complex financial matters.

You can also limit the authority to certain accounts or specific tasks, giving you control over how much responsibility you delegate.

Last Will & Testament and Beneficiary Designations

Many 18-year-olds assume they don’t need a will—but even young adults usually have property, bank accounts, or personal belongings they care about. A will allows you to:

  • Decide who receives your property

  • Choose who will administer your estate

  • Nominate a guardian for any children you may have

Without a will, Minnesota law determines who handles your estate and who receives your property.

Even if you do not create a will immediately, beneficiary designations on bank accounts, retirement plans, and life insurance policies are crucial. These designations override your will, so it’s important to keep track of them and update them as life changes.

Digital Asset Authorization

Your digital life—email, social media, online banking, cloud storage, even NFTs—doesn’t automatically become accessible to your family if something happens to you. Minnesota law requires clear, written authorization for someone to legally access or manage your digital accounts.

Without it, loved ones risk:

  • Violating state and federal privacy laws

  • Triggering locked or deleted accounts

  • Losing access to important financial or personal information

A Digital Asset Authorization (often part of a will) protects both your accounts and the person you name to help manage them.

Other Tasks an 18-Year-Old Should Consider

  • Register to vote

  • Apply for a driver’s license or state ID

  • Apply for a passport

  • Open a bank account

  • Request a credit report

  • Open a credit card to begin building credit

  • Consider purchasing a life insurance policy

  • Decide whether to stay on a parent’s health plan or obtain your own

  • Register as an organ donor

  • Open an IRA or enroll in employer-based retirement plans

  • Add beneficiary designations to any existing accounts

  • Create a secure list of usernames and passwords

  • Purchase a fireproof safe or safety deposit box for important documents

  • Learn about:

    • Financial responsibility

    • Entering contracts or leases

    • Vehicle or renter’s insurance

Responsibilities That Begin at Age 18

  • May be called for jury duty

  • Must register for Selective Service (if male)

  • May need a state ID or driver’s license

  • May be nominated by parents as:

    • Health Care Agent

    • Attorney-in-Fact

    • Personal Representative/Executor

    • Guardian of younger siblings

Turning 18 is exciting, and these responsibilities don’t have to feel overwhelming. With the right documents and a little preparation, new adults—and their parents—can step confidently into this next stage of life.

 

Recent Blog Posts