Sivia Law Introduces Two New Ways To Protect Your Kids

Aug. 18, 2014 - PRLog -- Edwardsville, IL – As the fall school year approaches, many parents are preparing for the inevitable “good bye” as their young adults begin their college careers. But many parents neglect to legally prepare for their child’s transition into adulthood: once a child becomes 18 years of age, parents no longer have the authority to be advised of, or make decisions regarding, their child’s healthcare—even in the event of an emergency.

Sivia Business & Legal Services, P.C. (SBLS) developed the “Parent Sanity Kit” to safeguard the parents’ ability to oversee the care and protection of their young adult.

“It is usually assumed that if a young adult isn’t married, the parents still have access to their child’s medical records, physicians, etc. But this isn’t the case,” explains Todd Sivia, managing partner of SBLS. “In reality, once a child turns 18, parents do not have the ability contact a college’s financial aide department—even if the parent’s are paying the bills. So, if a young person is involved in an accident, the attending physician is responsible for the medical decisions.”

The “Parent Sanity Kit” includes a Power of Attorney, Advance Healthcare Directives and HIPPA authorization forms. Together, these documents provide parents with immediate access and authority to make decisions on behalf of their older child, should the young adult become incapacitated.

Ronda Targhetta, of Brighton, IL, is having a kit written for her daughter, who lives out of state.

“If something should happen to my daughter, I can’t immediately be at the hospital,” explains Targhetta. “These documents will allow me to speak with her doctor and remain informed. Otherwise, a doctor isn’t going to discuss her medical condition with me over the phone. Now I have peace of mind knowing that I would have a say in her care.”

Child Guardian Selection Program

In addition to the Parent Sanity Kit, SBLS is introducing the Child Guardian Selection Program. The CGSP ultimately minimizes the chances children end up in temporary foster care, should tragedy simultaneously befall their parents.

Developed for parents of younger children, the Child Guardian Selection Program provides parents a comprehensive set of documents and instructions that will provide different types of care and guardianships for their children in various situations. These documents give guidance to others so that your children may grow strong—both mentally and physically—should you be unavailable to them.

“If children are with a sitter or a neighbor, and something happens to the parents, the children could be sent to foster care until the guardianship papers are located,” explains Sivia. “However, if parents have CGSP documents and the caretaker knows how to use them, the children will be able to stay with a designated temporary guardian instead.”

The firm is also developing YouTube videos demonstrating the importance of pre-planning. The Parent Sanity Kit and Child Guardian Selection Program videos will soon be available on the Sivia Law Counselor’s Corner YouTube and iTunes podcast channels.

SBLS was recently named to the list of 2014 Top 20 Small Businesses in St. Louis by St. Louis Small Business Monthly.

Sivia Business & Legal Services, P.C. is an asset protection law firm focused on general business law, real estate, business law, probate, and elder law. Sivia Business & Legal Services, P.C. is committed to quality legal representation at affordable prices.  The law firm has offices located at 217 South Main St., Edwardsville, IL 62025, 912 North Main St., Brighton, IL 62012, and 5340 Delmar, Ste. 101, St. Louis, MO 63112.  For more information, visit http://www.sivialaw.com.

For more information regarding business law or employment law, please contact Sivia Business & Legal Services, P.C. at (618) 659-4499, (618) 372-4111, (314) 361- 3028, or e-mail us at info@sivialaw.com.