FAQ: Do Young Adults Need an Estate Plan?
Quick Answer: No matter your age, you need an estate plan. Even young adults should have certain legal documents in place to protect their health, finances, and loved ones. The specific documents you’ll need will evolve as you get older, but creating a baseline estate plan early gives you control and peace of mind.
At The Ashmore Law Firm, we help individuals at every stage of life understand which estate planning tools they need—and when.
Estate Planning When You Turn 18 in Texas
Turning 18 means you are legally an adult, even if you’re still in school or living at home. Your parents no longer have automatic authority to make medical or financial decisions for you. Two of the most important estate planning documents for young adults are:
Power of Attorney
A power of attorney allows someone you trust—often a parent, sibling, or close friend—to make decisions on your behalf if you are injured, hospitalized, or otherwise unable to act for yourself.
HIPAA Release
Once you’re 18, your parents cannot access your medical information or assist with appointments, prescriptions, or test results without authorization. A HIPAA release allows them—or any person you choose—to receive updates and help with medical decisions.
Example: A Ski Trip That Changed Everything for a Young Adult without Estate Planning in Texas
Imagine you’re 22 and on a ski trip in Colorado with friends. You’re finally independent—working full-time, paying your own bills, and enjoying adulthood. Then, on the second day of the trip, you take a bad fall and are rushed to the hospital unconscious.
Your parents back in Texas are frantic. They call the hospital, but the staff tells them, “We can’t share any information without written authorization.” Because you’re legally an adult, they can’t speak to the doctors, access your medical records, or even approve emergency procedures.
Meanwhile, your dad tries to get into your bank account to cover medical costs, but it’s solely in your name. Your roommate back home can’t legally enter your apartment to get your insurance card or pack essentials. And without a valid medical power of attorney or HIPAA release, your parents can’t arrange to have you flown home for treatment.
All of these obstacles could have been avoided with two simple documents:
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A statutory durable power of attorney to handle finances and logistics
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A medical power of attorney and HIPAA release to allow communication with doctors and hospitals
No one expects an accident at 22—but that’s exactly why having an estate plan matters at every age.
Estate Planning in Your 20s and 30s in Texas
As you become more independent, take on a career, and build assets, you’ll want to expand your estate plan. At a minimum, consider adding:
Updated Health Care Documents
You might want to update your representatives, naming a partner or close friend instead of your parents.
Will
Even if you don’t own much, a will ensures your belongings, pets, and digital assets go to the people you choose.
Life Insurance
If you have student loans or ongoing expenses, life insurance helps prevent those debts from becoming a burden to your loved ones.
Named Beneficiaries
When you start a new job, be sure to list beneficiaries for retirement accounts and insurance policies. These designations take priority over your will.
Life Events That Require a More Extensive Estate Plan
As your life changes—when you buy a house, start a family, or accumulate savings—you’ll need a more detailed estate plan.
Guardianship Designations
If you become a parent, name guardians for your children in your will. You can update this as your family grows.
Revocable Living Trust
A living trust lets you decide how your assets are distributed and helps your loved ones avoid probate in Texas.
The Ashmore Law Firm can help you create a trust that fits your goals and protects your assets.
Why Every Adult Should Have an Estate Plan in Texas
Estate planning is not only for older adults or the wealthy—it’s for anyone who wants control and protection. Having these documents ensures that your wishes are followed, your finances are managed, and your loved ones aren’t left helpless in an emergency.
The earlier you start, the better prepared you’ll be for life’s uncertainties.
Speak With an Experienced Estate Planning Lawyer in Dallas
If you’re a young adult starting out—or entering a new stage of life—The Ashmore Law Firm can help you establish or update your estate plan.
📞 Call us today at 214.559.7202 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.
We proudly serve clients throughout the Dallas area, helping individuals and families protect what matters most.
