It's August or September, and your children or grandchildren are heading back to school.
They may be down the street at a local school, at boarding school, or at college a bit further away.
Regardless, you want to be sure that your children will be protected in an emergency if they are not with you.
Here are some reminders and suggestions: For Minor Children (under 18)

1. 1.
   In addition to your child's school, make sure that all of the people who take care of your children -- including grandparents, babysitters, older siblings, neighbors have your up-to-date contact information, including changes in your cell or pager numbers.
   And don't forget to update that emergency contact list on your fridge or bulletin board!
2. Contact your estate planning lawyer about the documents that you need to ensure that the appropriate people in your life have the ability to make decisions about your child (e.
   g.
   in a medical emergency) if you can't be reached or are out of town.
   
3. Have your estate planning attorney enroll your child in the DocuBank Family Care Card, so that your child's caregivers (babysitters, grandparents, etc.
   ) as well as doctors and hospitals can have immediate access to the information they need to care for your child in an emergency.
   And, you get an alert if the card is used.
   

For Young Adult Children (18 and over)

1. Make sure that your 18-year old signs, at the very least, a healthcare power of attorney and a HIPAA release, even if they are in college.
   They are now legal and these documents can ensure that the hospital will still give you medical information about them in an emergency.
   
2. Ensure that these documents will be available immediately at the hospital when needed by having your estate planning attorney enroll your child in DocuBank I.
   C.
   E.
   (In Case of Emergency) for college-age children.
   You'll receive an alert from DocuBank if your child's I.
   C.
   E.
   card is used by emergency staff.
   

These documents and services can make a critical difference to the treatment your child receives in an emergency, and also to the information you will be able to receive as a parent if something happens to your child when you are unavailable.