Plan advertising changes when an adult child moves out
The adult child decides which senders get their new address and which advertising to stop. A parent should not change their preferences or accounts without their permission. You can handle mail addressed to you yourself.
Give the choices to the adult child
- List the senders visible on envelopes still arriving for the adult child. Do not open their mail without permission, even when the envelope looks promotional.
- Go through the list with them. For each sender, they choose to update the address, stop the advertising, or keep it as it is.
- Address updates go to each sender through its official channel, and the adult child makes them. A parent should not sign in to their accounts.
- If they ask you to draft a request, write it in their name and let them approve the wording before it is sent.
- Hand them any mail that is not plain advertising, unopened.
Mail that looks like advertising
Some mailers look like ads but relate to an account the adult child already holds, such as an offer from a bank they use. Give anything unclear to them instead of answering it yourself.
A credit or insurance offer is not automatically prescreened. The prescreen service covers only offers based on major credit-bureau lists, and the adult child would make that election for themselves. They can also contact the named sender directly. A parent should not enter their personal details anywhere.
Sender choices worksheet
Example for your own use. Replace the bracketed details and review what you share.
Set up a handoff
Agree on how mail that keeps arriving will reach them, such as a weekly pickup. Write down each sender they plan to contact. When a new sender appears, add it to the list for them to decide.
Official source
Have an unwanted advertisement ready?
Photograph one piece you are authorized to handle, with the sender and full mailing label visible. Review the details before submitting. The first request is free; the sender controls the response.
Try one request free