Legal Documents Checklist
Senior Care Legal Prep Guide
For Adult Children Assisting Their Parents
To ensure a smooth and legally compliant transition to assisted living, adult children should gather the following legal documents before beginning the move-in process. These documents help with medical decisions, financial management, and day-to-day responsibilities.
Essential Legal Documents
Durable Power of Attorney (POA) - for financial and legal matters
Healthcare Power of Attorney (Medical POA) - for medical decisions
HIPAA Authorization - to access health information
Living Will / Advance Directive - for end-of-life preferences
Guardianship / Conservatorship - only if no POA exists and parent is incapacitated
Government-issued ID - driver's license or state ID
Medicare, Medicaid, or insurance cards - for billing and coverage
Social Security Card or number - often needed for identification and benefits
Additional Tips
Ensure all documents are signed, dated, and notarized
Store copies in both physical and digital format
Review documents regularly to keep them up to date
