Leaving the kids behind with my parents in FL. Any documents to fill?

[isabellea]

On March 4th we are leaving on a cruise without the kids. We are Canadians and my parents have a condo in Fort Lauderdale so they will pick up our daughters at Titusville before embarkation to spend the 4 nights with them at their condo while we are on the cruise. Then, we are meeting at WDW for the last few days of the break. My worry is what if one of my kids falls sick while we are on the cruise? My kids have medical insurance through DH work plan so that’s not the issue; the issue is more about legal authority to take decisions regarding their health. Is there a document we should fill and sign so my dad can have this authority in our absence? I don’t know how this work in the USA or Florida and would really appreciate if someone can help me with that. Thanks!

 

[wilkeliza]

You can have a letter noterized that says you are giving your parents the right to make medical decisions for your children while they are under their care. Not sure if we can post letters here but you basically say you ------- are the parents of parents of minors ---- and ----- and give your parents ---- and ---- the ability to make emergency medical decisions until x date.

 

[Momto2minniemice]

I would get a POA for the kids. This is a legal document the grandparents can us here in the US

 

[rhinodadz]

Under Florida statute, grandparents can consent to treat a minor in the parents' absence (see item 2c here), but it's probably safer to give the grandparents a power of attorney.

 

[isabellea]

I would get a POA for the kids. This is a legal document the grandparents can us here in the US

Is it easy/quick to get? How do you get one? We should arrive in FL on Friday March 3rd around 4pm and we are meeting my parents on Saturday at 10am so not much time to get paperwork in order.

 

[isabellea]

You can have a letter noterized that says you are giving your parents the right to make medical decisions for your children while they are under their care. Not sure if we can post letters here but you basically say you ------- are the parents of parents of minors ---- and ----- and give your parents ---- and ---- the ability to make emergency medical decisions until x date.

I wonder if I could notarize a letter here in Montreal, if it will be accepted in FL as proper documentation?!?

 

[isabellea]

Under Florida statute, grandparents can consent to treat a minor in the parents' absence (see item 2c here), but it's probably safer to give the grandparents a power of attorney.

Thank you for the link!

 

[wilkeliza]

I wonder if I could notarize a letter here in Montreal, if it will be accepted in FL as proper documentation?!?

I would imagine so as long as you use the Canadian equivalent. Heck in a true emergency they are going to let your parents decided anyways and just pray you don't sue or make the decision themselves if time is critical. They aren't going to let your kid die or go with a broken bone untreated over a formality like a notarized copy of the letter.

 

[FigmentSpark]

I would leave a letter for your parents to have them and make decisions about them. They are out of country and so are you. It's no hassle for you to type up and sign something. I think talking to a lawyer to get the right paperwork wouldn't hurt, either. God forbid anything should happen to you and DH or your parents, but there should be a clear statement of intent to care for the children. I know it probably won't do much good, but you could also leave copies of their health cards and insurance number, so if there is something urgent required, it would be possible to find out what is covered and what is not.

I bet everything's going to be fine, but I'm one who plans for that crazy worst case scenario.

 

[lklgoodman]

When we left our dd with her grandparents, we got a letter from her pedi that we signed and gave back to the pedi giving the grandparents permission to make medical decisions. Your parents could see if their dr has something like that you use.

 

[lanejudy]

When we've left DD with grandparents, I gave them a copy of her medical card along with a notarized letter authorizing them to make medical decisions in our absence. I suspect the equivalent of "notarized" in Canada (an official witnesses your signature and compares to ID) would be fine. Since you are leaving soon, if you don't have time to track that down just a letter signed by both parents (plus copy of the medical card). As PP says, in a life threatening emergency the kids will receive medical treatment; a letter just authorizes non-emergency care as well.

Enjoy your cruise!