Written by Martin J. Young, former correspondent of Asia Times.

Question: My parents told me I am covered under their employer group legal plan. Why would I need a lawyer at college?

For most students attending college will be their first real experience of independence. Your new freedom comes with its own challenges, and surprisingly many involve legal issues. Your parents are trying to help you plan ahead for legal matters that arise during college years.

Students often run into disputes which have legal implications. They are not always at fault, so being included on a group legal plan can be advantageous. The first and probably most common issue is delinquency or default on a student loan. If you are no longer financially capable of repaying your debts, you may need legal assistance. An attorney can explain your options and assist on navigating through the government offices.

Being in college, students let their guard. This makes a college campus a honeypot for cybercriminals. According to reports, personal identity theft is four times more likely to happen to students. Living in a shared apartment or dorm with multiple mobile devices and often unsecured wifi connections makes you vulnerable. Student populations experience three times the amount of fraud compared to regular consumers. A lawyer will be essential if your personal data is stolen, just look at Equifax in the news recently.

Rental disputes are another situation you are likely to encounter. Many are exploited because they do not know their rights as tenants. You may be billed for things that are the landlord’s responsibility, or fight to get a deposit returned. Rental scams are also commonplace with fraudsters promising apartments that do not exist.

It will also be your first time signing legal paperwork, such as a tenancy agreement or health insurance. You typically do not understand that the document terms can be negotiated and legal advice is needed before you sign.

Medical issues or auto accidents can unfortunately occur and you are unable to make decisions for yourself. Hospitals cannot give parents any medical information about their child’s condition without medical power of attorney. They will have no authority to make decisions on your behalf if your condition prevents it. A pre-existing relationship with an attorney allows you to quickly control the situation.

College students are a prime market for investment scams and financial institutions seeking new credit card customers. If you are living on a tight budget, it is easy to miss a payment and incur additional charges and fees. Having a group legal plan allows you to negotiate with creditors.

These are only a few examples of how students can encounter legal trouble. The worst part is having to admit that your parents had a good idea.

I learned law so well, the day I graduated I sued the college, won the case, and got my tuition back… Fred Allen.