When children are young, it is very clear that parents have the right and responsibility to maintain those children and make their decisions. As children age, however, the boundaries become less clear regarding what actions a parent is legally authorized to take.

This comes up in a variety of ways, and each of them have certain complications for families.

Children in College

Washington defines adulthood (except as otherwise specifically provided by law) to start at age 18. When children go to college or strike out into adulthood at age 18, parents no longer have any legal right to manage their health care or finances. Children can block parents from their college records, health care records, and financial assets. If they have a medical emergency at college, parents are not necessarily

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