Skvarna Law Firm

A parent’s lease guaranty may cover more than the rent they expect to help pay. The contract could include fees, damage or other obligations. Know the scope before putting your name on it.

Estate planning is not only for parents with homes, retirement accounts or large estates. Young adults can benefit from documents that address who may act if they cannot make decisions themselves.

Moving off campus often means signing a private lease. If a parent is asked to guarantee it, read the entire agreement and understand the obligations before signing.

Turning 18 can mean parents have less automatic access to their child’s affairs. College planning should include a conversation about healthcare directives, powers of attorney and HIPAA authorizations. https://bit.ly/4wYGBlI

Before your child signs a college housing contract, slow down. Know what the student owes, what you may guarantee and how long the obligation lasts. https://bit.ly/4wYGBlI

Don't assume a relative will automatically care for your pet after you're gone. Discuss the responsibility beforehand and make appropriate arrangements in your estate plan. https://bit.ly/4hzwxeW

College housing paperwork deserves more than a quick signature. A parental guaranty may cover far more than rent, including fees, damage or other lease obligations. Read the agreement before signing. https://bit.ly/4wYGBlI

Turning 18 changes more than a college student's address. Parents may still pay the bills, but they no longer have the same automatic legal authority they had when their child was a minor. https://bit.ly/4wYGBlI

A parent who guarantees a college apartment lease could be accepting responsibility beyond monthly rent. Fees, property damage, extensions and other costs may be covered, depending on the contract. https://bit.ly/4wYGBlI

Before signing a college lease, ask one simple question: What exactly am I guaranteeing? The answer should come from the actual contract, not a casual explanation from the leasing office. https://bit.ly/4wYGBlI