My College Plan
Helping Families Prepare for the Legal and Financial Realities of College Life
Sending your child to college is a major milestone that marks a new chapter of independence and responsibility. But with that independence come potential challenges—health emergencies, financial decisions, and legal matters—that can be difficult to manage without proper preparation.
Our My College Plan service provides families with essential legal documents, clear strategies, and experienced guidance to ensure students are protected and parents are empowered to help when needed. With the right plan in place, you can avoid unnecessary stress and act with confidence when situations arise.
What’s Included in My College Plan
Health Care Proxy
Authorizes a trusted person (typically a parent) to make medical decisions if the student becomes incapacitated. This ensures timely care even if parents aren’t nearby.
HIPAA Authorization
Allows parents or guardians to access the student’s medical information. Without this, providers may legally refuse to share critical health updates.
Durable Power of Attorney
Enables a parent or trusted agent to handle financial or legal matters on behalf of the student, such as banking, bill payments, or signing legal documents.
What Sets Our Service Apart
We don’t just prepare documents. We help families feel ready. Our attorneys have firsthand experience sending their own children to college, so we understand the real-life scenarios you may face. That makes our guidance especially practical and relevant.
- Real-World Guidance – We help you anticipate common college-related issues and plan ahead.
- Personalized Solutions – Every plan is tailored to your family’s goals and your student’s specific needs.
- Local Legal Expertise – Our attorneys are licensed in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
- Ongoing Support – We’re here to answer questions and update your plan as needed.
- Peace of Mind – Know your family is prepared for what college life brings.
Frequently asked questions
Once your child turns 18, you no longer have the legal right to make medical decisions on their behalf. A Health Care Proxy ensures that, in an emergency, someone they trust (usually a parent) can step in and authorize treatment without delays.
A Health Care Proxy allows someone to make decisions about medical care. A HIPAA Authorization, on the other hand, allows you to receive information but not make decisions. Both are important to staying informed and involved in your child’s care.
A Durable Power of Attorney allows someone you trust to manage your student’s legal and financial matters, such as handling tuition payments, accessing bank accounts, or signing legal forms, especially if your child is studying out of state or abroad.
We draft documents in compliance with Rhode Island and Massachusetts laws. If your child is attending college in another state, we ensure the documents are likely to be recognized there as well and we can advise you on any specific state considerations.
FERPA, or the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. Once a student turns 18 or enters a postsecondary institution, parents no longer have automatic access to these records. A FERPA waiver allows students to grant permission for parents to view academic information, such as grades and enrollment status. While not legally required, we highly recommend including this waiver in your plan for better communication and peace of mind.
Yes. These are flexible, living documents. As long as your child has legal capacity, they can change or revoke any document at any time.
Before your child heads off to school. We recommend completing the plan before orientation or move-in day to ensure you’re protected from the start.
Without them, you may be blocked from accessing important medical or financial information. In serious cases, you might need to go to court to obtain guardianship or conservatorship, which can be a costly and time-consuming process during an already stressful time.
How It Works
Our process is clear and stress-free:
- Personalized Legal Consultation – We get to know your family and design a plan that fits.
- Flat-Fee Pricing – Transparent fees with no surprises.
- Experienced Legal Team – Focused on protecting students and supporting families.
- Continued Access – We’re available for questions as situations evolve.
Preparing for college doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With My College Plan, your family can focus on what really matters: your student’s growth, independence, and success, knowing the right protections are in place.
Contact Lambros Law Office today to learn how we can help your family enter this new chapter with clarity and confidence.
