• 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 >> Vero Beach Estate Planning Lawyers Help You Choose Your Fiduciaries

Vero Beach Estate Planning Lawyers Help You Choose Your Fiduciaries

September 11, 2017 by Andreas Kulas

Vero Beach estate planning lawyersWhen you think about important decisions you will need to make when creating your estate plan, you likely focus on decisions related to the distribution of your estate assets. While there is no doubt that deciding who will receive your assets, and how much each beneficiary will receive are important decisions, there are other equally important decisions you may not be contemplating – but you should. Throughout your estate plan, you will need to appoint fiduciaries. These people can lead to the success, or failure, of your estate planning goals. Despite this, many people give them very little thought. So that you do not make that mistake, the Vero Beach estate planning lawyers at Kulas & Crawford help you choose your fiduciaries.

What Is a Fiduciary and How Do I Decide Who to Appoint?

A fiduciary is someone who holds a position of power and/or trust. In the context of estate planning, a fiduciary often controls estate assets and/or makes important decisions relating to those assets and to the beneficiaries for whom those assets are eventually intended. Every estate plan is unique; however, there are some common fiduciaries found within the common estate plan, such as the Executor of your estate. Unfortunately, people often name someone to a fiduciary position based solely on the relationship they have with that individual instead of based on the individual’s experience, skill, or general abilities related to the position. To help you avoid this mistake, consider the following guidelines when appointing your fiduciaries:

  • Executor – when you execute your Last Will and Testament you will name an Executor within that document. Your Executor is the individual that will oversee the probate process that occurs after your death. The duties and responsibilities of an Executor are numerous and varied and include things such as identifying and securing your estate assets, notifying creditors and evaluating claims made against the estate, and defending your Will if someone files a Will contest. While it is tempting to name a spouse, keep in mind that your spouse will be grieving your loss and may not have the emotional fortitude to serve as Executor. Instead, appoint someone who you believe will have the time and energy to serve as well as who has some basic legal and financial skills and/or experience.
  • Trustee – a Trustee is appointed by the Settlor (creator) of a trust and is responsible for managing and protecting trust assets as well as administering the trust according to the trust terms created by the Settlor. Once again, avoid the urge to appoint a spouse or close family member unless he/she is truly qualified. Your Trustee will need to have legal and financial skills and preferable experience in order to understand the trust terms and the laws relating to the administration of a trust. You also need to appoint someone who will not have a conflict of interest with the trust itself or the beneficiaries and who is capable of making trust decisions based on the trust purpose you stated without interjecting his/her own opinion. Finally, your Trustee should be good at conflict management and have the time to dedicate to the job of Trustee.
  • Agent – you might appoint an Agent in a Power of Attorney or in an advance directive. In a POA your Agent may be given the legal authority to act on your behalf in specific situations or in general. This individual may have considerable power over your assets so be extremely careful who you appoint and in the extent of the authority to grant. You may also execute an advance directive that appoints an Agent to make health care decisions for you in the event you cannot make them yourself some day because of incapacity. Since these decisions will literally be life and death decisions, choose someone you trust implicitly and who knows you and your beliefs and wishes with regard to end of life treatment. This is where you will likely want to appoint a spouse to a fiduciary position.

Contact Vero Beach Estate Planning Lawyers

For more information, please join us for an upcoming FREE seminar. If you have additional questions or concerns regarding who to appoint to fiduciary positions within your estate plan, contact the experienced Vero Beach estate planning lawyers at Kulas & Crawford by calling (772) 398-0720 to schedule an appointment.

Filed Under: Estate Planning

Other Articles You May Find Useful

Planning For The Silver Tsunami 150x150
Planning for the “Silver Tsunami”
The Lessons From Lisa Marie 150x150
The Lessons from Lisa Marie
Vero Beach estate planning attorney
5 Important Estate Plan Documents
Refresh And Reset Syncing Up In San Diego 150x145
Refresh and Reset: Syncing up in San Diego
Vero Beach estate planning attorney
Important Estate Plan Updates for Seniors
Spring Summit 2022 Celebrating Friendship In The Lone Star State 150x145
Spring Summit 2022: Celebrating Friendship in the Lone Star State

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

Blog Subscription

Subscribe to our blog to get all of the latest estate planning news in the Port St. Lucie and Vero Beach Florida areas. Fill out the form below to get our updates.

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.