• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Kulas & Crawford

Attorneys at Law

Call Now: (772) 398.0720

Attend a Free Workshop
  • Home
  • About Our Firm
    • About Our Firm
    • Meet Our Team
  • Services
    • Elder Law and Medicaid
    • Estate and Gift Tax Figures
    • Estate Planning Services
    • Financial Planning Assistance
    • IRA and Retirement Planning
    • Legacy Planning
    • LGBTQ Estate Planning
    • Pet Planning
    • Probate and Trust Administration
    • SECURE Act
    • Special Needs Planning
    • Veterans Benefits
  • Resources
    • Articles
    • Definitions
    • Elder Care Resources
    • Elder Law Resources
      • Elder Law Reports
      • Palm Bay Elder Law Resources
      • Vero Beach Elder Law Resources
    • Estate Plan Checkup
    • Florida Alzheimer’s Guide
    • FREE Estate Planning Worksheet
    • Free Seminars
    • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Elder Law and Medicaid
      • Estate Planning FAQ’s
      • Frequently Asked Questions for Families Without an Estate Plan
      • Legacy Wealth Planning FAQ’s
      • LGBTQ Estate Planning Frequently Asked Questions
      • Probate
      • Trust Administration & Probate Frequently Asked Questions
      • Veteran’s Benefits
      • Wills and Trusts
    • Newsletters
    • Pre Consultation Form
    • Presentations
    • Probate Checklist
    • Probate Resources
      • Port St Lucie Probate
      • Stuart Probate
      • Vero Beach Probate
    • Published Books
    • Reports
      • Advanced Estate Planning
      • Basic Estate Planning
      • Estate Planning for Niches
      • Trust Administration
    • Top Estate Planning Techniques
  • Workshops
  • Reviews
    • Our Reviews
    • Review Us
  • Communities We Serve
    • Indian River County
      • Vero Beach
    • Martin County
      • Hobe Sound
      • Jensen Beach
      • Stuart
    • Okeechobee County
      • Okeechobee
    • St. Lucie County
      • Fort Pierce
      • Port St. Lucie
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
Home >> Estate Planning Articles >> Helping Your Parents Through Their Twilight Years

Helping Your Parents Through Their Twilight Years

December 30, 2010 by Robert Kulas.

Compliments of Our Law Firm,
By: The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys

Your parents were watching over you, smiling and encouraging, as you took your first tentative steps. As a teenager, they handed you the keys as you took the car out on your own for the first time. They were there with guidance and advice, sometimes requested and sometimes not, as you left childhood and navigated young adulthood.

Now that your parents are entering their twilight years, they are the ones taking the unsteady steps, and you wonder if it might be time to suggest gently that they relinquish their car keys. You question how best to help them while at the same time preserving their dignity and maintaining their independence. How you’ll go about this will depend on your parents’ exact circumstances, including their health and financial means, and the involvement of family members and other loved ones. Regardless of the details, though, planning ahead is key.

If your parents are of substantial financial means, estate taxes may be a concern. Planning far in advance will be necessary to minimize, or even eliminate, the impact that taxes will have on their estate. Even if estate taxes are not a concern, planning is still essential. A properly implemented estate plan that includes incapacity planning can help ease the transition as your parents become less independent. In the event of an illness like Alzheimer’s, or a debilitating event such as a stroke, having a plan that provides some protection in case of their disability is often the difference between order and chaos.

A Living Trust can serve as the cornerstone of your parents’ estate plan. Your parents can place their assets in the trust and retain full authority to manage and control the assets as long as they’re well enough to do so. Once they become unable to care for themselves, the successor trustee they select may take over management of the trust assets. The successor can serve as  trustee along with your parents, gradually taking on more responsibility until it’s time for the successor trustee to take the reins completely. One of the advantages of a Living Trust is its flexibility. It can be arranged to meet the specific needs of your family, and is adaptable to allow for a gradual transition of responsibility or to accommodate an emergency situation.

Your parents have always been with you to share life’s joys and navigate life’s challenges. In the same way, you can be your parents’ foundation, helping them negotiate their twilight years with confidence and dignity.

An attorney experienced in the areas of estate planning and elder law can help you and your parents anticipate future needs and put plans in place well in advance. This way, your parents can look to the coming years with the assurance that, no matter what lies ahead, they’ll be in your capable hands.

Kulas & Crawford

Download Free Estate Planning Worksheet

There's a lot that goes into setting up a comprehensive estate plan, but with our FREE worksheet, you'll be one step closer to getting yourself and your family on the path to a secure and happy future.

TESTIMONIALS

Easy Testimonials
August 25, 2020
    

I needed a simple, easy-to-use way to add testimonials to my website and display them. Easy Testimonials Pro did all of that and more!

avatar-1
Janet Exampleton
Owner, Exampleton Productions
Easy Testimonials
August 25, 2020
    

I receieved excellent customer support, and quickly. Thank you so much!

avatar-2
Linda Herman
Founder, Herman Studios
Easy Testimonials
August 25, 2020
    

I love your product! I would recommend this to anyone. What a great find!

avatar-3
Steve
Developer, Acme Co.
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

We began our estate plan process in 2004 (12 years ago) and have been pleased with the periodic reviews we have gone through and when changes have been needed the firm has been thorough and professional in making those changes.

~L.G.K
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

I have known Robert Kulas for 20 years since I was co-executor for friends who had Mr. Kulas prepare a Trust for them. When I felt I needed a trust also, I came to him. I have always been completed satisfied with his work and that of his charming, competent staff.

~Joan C
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

Mr. Kulas and his staff have been extremely helpful & knowledgeable for the over 3 years we have been associated. They are easy to talk to and explain everything without feeling rushed. Very competent and professional.

~Mildred W
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

I have worked with Mr. Kulas & staff before. And they are very professional. I am very satisfied with Mr. Kulas and his staff and give them the highest satisfaction and 5 star rating.

~Leo C
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

Robert Kulas and staff made making a will an easy to understand process. They were very knowledgeable and attentive to my wishes. All my documents were provided in an organized binder which will be a great asset to my family. I would definitely recommend them.

~Krissy L
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

Everyone treated us extremely well.  Robert explained how a trust works and the benefits of having one.  We decided to move forward and complete the process.  He was very kind and knowledgeable.  Julie was also very helpful and very patient with our questions.  We felt very comfortable with this firm handling our affairs.  We would highly recommend this firm to our friends and family.

~Janice M
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

"Everyone treated us extremely well.  Robert explained how a trust works and the benefits of having one.  We decided to move forward and complete the process.  He was very kind and knowledgeable.  Julie was also very helpful and very patient with our questions.  We felt very comfortable with this firm handling our affairs.  We would highly recommend this firm to our friends and family."

Janice M
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

Robert Kulas and staff made making a will an easy to understand process. They were very knowledgeable and attentive to my wishes. All my documents were provided in an organized binder which will be a great asset to my family. I would definitely recommend them.

Krissy L.
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

I have worked with Mr. Kulas & staff before. And they are very professional. I am very satisfied with Mr. Kulas and his staff and give them the highest satisfaction and 5 star rating.

Leo C.
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

Mr. Kulas and his staff have been extremely helpful & knowledgeable for the over 3 years we have been associated. They are easy to talk to and explain everything without feeling rushed. Very competent and professional.

Mildred W.
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

I have known Robert Kulas for 20 years since I was co-executor for friends who had Mr. Kulas prepare a Trust for them. When I felt I needed a trust also, I came to him. I have always been completed satisfied with his work and that of his charming, competent staff.

Joan C.
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

We began our estate plan process in 2004 (12 years ago) and have been pleased with the periodic reviews we have gone through and when changes have been needed the firm has been thorough and professional in making those changes.

L.G.K.
<
>

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

PORT ST. LUCIE

East Lake Professional Center
2100 SE Hillmoor Drive, Suite 105 Port St. Lucie, FL,34952
Phone: (772) 398-0720
Fax: (772) 398-9331
  • PORT ST. LUCIE

VERO BEACH

Bridgeview Building
2770 Indian River Blvd, Suite 321, Vero Beach, FL, 32960
Phone: (772) 778-8481
Fax: (772) 398-9331
  • VERO BEACH

Office Hours

Monday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
footer-logo
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

The information on this Florida Attorneys & Lawyers / Law Firm website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this or associated pages, documents, comments, answers, emails, or other communications should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. The information on this website is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing of this information does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.

Kulas & Crawford. Privacy Policy | Contact Us | Disclaimer | Site Map | Powered by American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys


© 2023 American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.