Many parents might wonder why they would ever need legal assistance themselves, much less for their children. The truth is, children need legal protection at every stage of their lives, whether it’s to protect them in case something happens to you, or if they find themselves in a bit of unexpected trouble.
At the same time, having kids can also make it harder to pay for unanticipated attorney fees. From estate planning to identity theft, legal issues involving children can arise when you least expect them. That’s why a legal insurance plan from ARAG can be a good idea for families.
Legal issues parents (and kids) may face
As a parent, you may encounter legal situations involving your child that require professional guidance. Here are just a few examples of common scenarios families face:
Estate planning for parents with children
Everyone should have a will or trust, but it’s especially crucial for people with dependents. For those with children under the age of 18, you will want to name guardians for your kids in case something happens to both parents.
Without a will or trust, the state decides who will care for your children – not you. Estate planning documents can also help ensure your assets are managed and distributed according to your wishes.
Disagreement with a daycare or childcare provider
Having your children in daycare is a fact of life for most working families these days. But issues like a disciplinary incident or dispute over rates can impact your working relationship with your provider – and possibly your child’s care.
A childcare agreement between you and the person or organization who cares for your child will help you formally outline the responsibilities, expectations and payment terms, helping to protect your child and your working relationship.
Medical emergencies and consent for treatment
An inevitable fact of being a parent is that kids get sick and accidents happen. But if your child needs medical treatment while you’re unavailable, providers may not be able to proceed without parental consent – unless it’s an emergency.
You can use a medical treatment authorization for minors to make sure they get the necessary medical treatment before you arrive. Consider using this document if you’ll be away from your child for an extended period of time or if you leave your child with someone else on a regular basis.
Child identity theft
In 2024, there were almost 4,500 cases of internet crimes against children reported. Children’s Social Security numbers are often perfect targets because they have no credit history.
Plus, as more children share their personal information online – and at surprisingly young ages – they are unwittingly giving identity thieves data to hack into social media accounts or to piece together information that enables them to steal a child’s identity. Detecting identity theft early can help minimize long-term financial damage.
Bullying and cyberbullying
More than 20% of students are bullied every year. It has become such a problem that all states now have a law or policy in place that addresses bullying. Cyberbullying has increasingly become a more pronounced problem as children and teens spend more of their time online. In fact, teens spend an average of eight and a half hours a day with digital technology, while “tweens” aged eight to 12 average five and a half hours a day.
No matter where your child is being harassed, whether it’s at school, in the neighborhood or online — or even if he or she is the instigator — you may need legal help to address the issue with the school they attend, other parents or the authorities.
Distracted driving
2,707 people were killed in crashes involving a teen driver in 2023. Depending on state laws, moving violations and accidents can carry steeper penalties for teens, especially if they still carry license restrictions.
How ARAG legal plans can help families
When you face a legal issue involving your child, a legal insurance plan from ARAG can offer you:
- Access to network attorneys for legal counsel, document review and representation.
- Access to identity theft case specialists, who can provide next steps and resources to address identity theft.
- A wide range of covered legal matters with network attorney fees that are paid in full for most covered matters.