07/09/2026
Tommorrow, my son, Coen, turns 18! It's hard to believe because so many of our clients remember him as the little boy who practically grew up at Clark & Company Insurance. Some of you may remember him bouncing in his seat under my desk, coloring in the office, running around as a little guy, and spending countless afternoons here after school.
In many ways, it feels like just yesterday.
As I've been preparing for this milestone, I realized something that I think many parents don't know…
When your child turns 18, the law considers them an adult overnight—even if they're still living at home, still in high school, and still need Mom and Dad for just about everything.
That means parents may no longer automatically have the authority to:
❌ Speak with their doctors or receive medical information
❌ Make medical decisions in an emergency
❌ Access school records, grades, or disciplinary information
❌ Handle certain financial matters on their behalf
As I started getting everything in order for Coen, I learned there are several important documents and tasks every family should consider:
✔️ Health Care Power of Attorney
✔️ HIPAA Authorization
✔️ FERPA Release for school records
✔️ Financial Power of Attorney
✔️ Review bank accounts and add POD beneficiaries
✔️ Freeze their credit to protect against identity theft
✔️ Review insurance policies and beneficiaries
I wanted to share this because I know many of our clients are in the same season of life with children heading into their senior year, college, or adulthood.
While I'm incredibly proud of the young man Coen has become, this mama's heart isn't quite sure how we got here so fast. ❤️
If you have an 18-year-old or one getting close, I hope this information helps your family prepare.
And to all of the clients who have watched my kids grow up right alongside our business… thank you. Your support has meant more to our family than you'll ever know.
❤️ Sherrie Clark
Clark & Company Insurance
