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KC Quarterly Q4 2025
Rooted in Tradition Growing for the Future The Firm You Know and Trust, Now With a Fresh Name for a Bright Future
As we prepare to turn the page on another year, I’m thrilled to share some exciting news that marks a continuation of our firm’s legacy and a step forward into a bright new chapter. Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, our firm will officially be known as Kulas Crawford & Smith . This name change isn’t just a new sign on the door; it reflects the growth and evolution of our firm and the well- deserved recognition of my partner, Andrew Smith. Andrew has been a part of our team for four years and a partner for the past two. Since joining us, he has embodied the compassion, professionalism, and commitment to excellence that define who we are. Andrew began his career with us under the guidance of our founder, Robert Kulas, and in those early months, he had the chance to learn from Robert before his retirement. Since then, Andrew has continued that mission, working side-by- side with our clients, earning their trust and helping guide them through life’s most important decisions. Along with our new name, we’re also unveiling a complete rebrand: a new logo, refreshed colors, and a more modern aesthetic that represents both where we’ve been and where we’re going. But while our look may be changing, our core values remain exactly the same. Clients can continue to expect the same personal
service, trusted advice, and thoughtful care that Kulas Law Group has always been known for. This announcement feels like the perfect way to start a new year: a fresh start, full of energy, pride, and gratitude for the clients and families who’ve trusted us for decades. And, of course, it’s a moment to celebrate Andrew and the leadership he brings to our team every day.
When I learned that my name would be added to the firm, I felt an immense sense of pride, but also a deepened responsibility. This change represents my long-term commitment to our clients and to ensuring every family who walks through our doors feels supported and confident in their planning. The name change also gave us the perfect reason to reimagine our branding. I’m excited for clients to see the new look we’ve created. It’s fresh, modern, and designed to reflect the professionalism and warmth that define our firm. Most importantly, this evolution is about continuity and growth. Our clients can take comfort knowing the same familiar faces, same trusted team, and same exceptional service remain at the heart of everything we do. As we become Kulas Crawford & Smith, our mission remains constant: to provide personalized, compassionate, and forward-thinking estate planning for generations to come. I couldn’t be prouder to take this next step with our team, and I look forward to continuing to serve our clients with the same dedication and care they’ve always known us for. –Andrew Smith
–Josh Crawford
When I first joined the firm four years ago, I never could have imagined how rewarding this journey would be. Working here has been both a privilege and a joy, not just because of the work we do, but because of the incredible people we get to serve. Many of our clients have been with the firm for over 30 years, and I am honored to continue the legacy that Robert Kulas began. Estate planning has always been a passion of mine. I was born and raised right here in this county, and it means a great deal to me to serve the same community that shaped who I am. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to build lasting relationships with clients and their families: relationships built on trust, understanding, and a shared goal of protecting what matters most.
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The Ultimate Empty Nester Road Trips
The empty nest stage marks a new chapter for parents, eliciting wide-ranging emotions, from grief or nostalgia to a thirst for adventure. But one common impulse unites many empty nesters: the desire to hit the open road in search of freedom, a relaxing break, or a fresh perspective. Here are three ideas for great road trips to rekindle an empty nester’s zest for life. Southern Barbecue and Music If you are no longer acting as Mom or Dad every day, could you be … a country music star? This road-trip favorite follows the Americana Music Triangle from New Orleans to Nashville, encompassing the birthplace of the country’s greatest jazz, blues, and rock ‘n’ roll traditions. Savor New Orleans’ jazz and Cajun cuisine, roll on to Memphis for blues, soul, and rock ‘n’ roll, and finish up in Nashville, the home of honky-tonk and country. Take in cultural landmarks along the way, and feast on the savory barbecue defining each region! A Nostalgia Trip Hungry for a glimpse of history, one mom trekked south with her husband after selling their Massachusetts home. Blogging as the Preppy Empty Nester, she and her spouse visited historic lodgings, including the Homestead Resort in Virginia’s Allegheny Mountains, a beautiful vacation destination for the past 250
years. Winding her way farther south, this mom gave the Read House, an iconic Jazz-era hotel in Chattanooga, a glowing review. A bastion of Southern hospitality, the Read House even has its own haunted room, No. 311, where a female guest was reportedly beheaded in a bathtub in 1927. Refreshed by their road trip, the couple arrived at their destination, Dallas, ready to start a new chapter. Explore the Extraterrestrial Curious about the cosmos? Explore the mysteries of UFO lore by driving the Extraterrestrial Highway, a unique 100-mile stretch of Nevada Route 375 named in 1996 for its rumored alien sightings. It has since become a magnet for anyone interested in UFOs or government secrets. Prepare for alien murals and kitschy roadside attractions like the Little A’Le’Inn motel. The town’s lone postal drop is a gathering place for UFO seekers. Also, Route 375 skirts the perimeter of Area 51, a top-secret, highly classified U.S. Air Force facility that has long intrigued paranormal enthusiasts. Other great road trips abound, from the Pacific Coast Highway in California and Oregon to Route 66, an adventure in Americana from Illinois to California. Whatever your empty-nest state of mind, there’s a road trip for you!
Allison Bauer Is Building Legacies With Heart and Hometown Pride
When people ask me what drew me to the law, I usually smile and say that in many ways, it’s been a part of me my entire life. My dad has been a judge for over 20 years, so the law always had a way of finding its way into dinner table conversations, and eventually, my heart. I grew up watching him solve problems with such calm logic and fairness that it didn’t feel like courtroom drama; it felt like purpose. That sense of purpose is what brought me here. After earning my degree from the University of Florida in 2020 and my Juris Doctor from Nova Southeastern University this past May, I came home to Stuart, where my roots (and my favorite fishing spots) are. Not long after, I attended a Martin County Bar Association event, where I reconnected with a familiar face and was introduced to Josh Crawford. One great conversation later, I knew I’d found the perfect fit at Kulas & Crawford. What I love most about estate planning is how personal it is. Every client has a story, and every plan reflects what they cherish most. Sitting down with families, helping them untangle worries, and crafting plans that give them peace of mind feels like a privilege. Ultimately, it’s about creating a sense of comfort and clarity for the people who trust you.
When I’m not in the office, you’ll probably find me
somewhere near the water, be it boating, surfing, fishing, or soaking up a Treasure Coast sunset. I’m also a fan of live country music and spending time with my friends, family, and four dogs (three black Labs and
one fluffy Great Pyrenees who thinks he’s a lapdog).
I’m proud to be back in the community where I was born and raised, now serving families who’ve built their lives here, too. My goal is to bring the same warmth, dedication, and care to my clients that my dad showed from the bench and to help ensure every family I work with feels confident about their future.
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Your Gift Can Change a Life This Holiday Season SHARE THE MAGIC OF GIVING WITH 4KIDS TREASURE COAST
The holidays are all about giving, and here at Kulas & Crawford, we’re thrilled to keep a heartwarming tradition alive: our annual holiday toy drive for 4KIDS Treasure Coast! Every year, we come together to bring a little magic to children and teens across Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee counties who are facing tough times. 4KIDS Treasure Coast works tirelessly to make sure every child has a safe, loving home and keep siblings together so they can receive the support they need to heal and thrive. Hundreds of local kids are removed from their homes every year, and your generosity helps make their holidays brighter. It’s easy to get involved! Bring unwrapped toys for kids, who range in age from newborns to 18-year-olds, to our Port St. Lucie or Vero offices by Monday, Dec. 8 . We always like to
emphasize not to forget the teens in need! They’re often overlooked in toy drives, but gifts like sports gear, beauty products, cologne, or small tech gadgets can light up a teen’s holiday and remind them they’re seen and cared for. Think back to what you wished for at 17 and let that spark your gift! Every single donation, big or small, brings smiles, joy, and hope to young lives. Join us this holiday season in spreading a little magic, a little love, and a lot of cheer. Together, we can make sure every child feels celebrated, supported, and wrapped in the warmth of our community. Stop by, drop off a gift, and let’s make this season unforgettable for the kids who need it most! If you want to learn more about 4KIDS and their mission, visit 4KIDS.us and discover all the ways you can support these kids year-round.
4KIDS Toy Drive What: Unwrapped toys for kids from newborn to 18 (teen gifts especially appreciated!) Where: Drop off at our Port St. Lucie or Vero offices When: Until Monday, Dec. 8 Visit 4KIDS.us for more info, and thanks for your support!
White Christmas Margarita
Ingredients Garnish: •
Cocktail •
1/2 of a lime
1 oz lime juice
•
2 tbsp dried unsweetened shredded coconut
• •
1 oz cream of coconut 1/2 oz Cointreau (or other triple sec liqueur)
•
1 sprig fresh rosemary
• •
2 oz tequila blanco 1 bar spoon vanilla vodka (optional)
•
5–8 cranberries
Directions 1. Use half a lime to wet the rim of your glass. Dip the wet rim in shredded coconut, turning the glass so the entire rim is covered. Set the glass aside. 2. Wash and dry the rosemary sprig and cranberries, then set aside while you make the drink. 3. In a cocktail shaker, add the lime juice, cream of coconut, Cointreau, tequila blanco, and vanilla vodka. 4. Fill shaker with ice and shake for 15–20 seconds. 5. Fill the serving glass with fresh ice and strain the mixture into the glass. 6. Add cranberries and rosemary as a garnish and serve!
Take a Break
Inspired by CharmingCocktails.com
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Inside pg. 1
Welcoming the Next Chapter as Kulas Crawford & Smith The Allure of an Iconic Road Trip for Empty Nesters Fresh Face, Familiar Heart: Kulas & Crawford Welcomes Allison Bauer Be a Holiday Hero and Drop Off a Gift by Dec. 8!
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White Christmas Margarita
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Disguised Devices of WWII
Freedom in a Deck of Cards THE SECRET TOOLS OF WAR
James Bond gets the movie credit, but real spies in World War II were pulling tricks long before 007 hit the screen. Their work wasn’t flashy; it was desperate. The British intelligence agency MI9 and later the American MIS-X program were tasked with helping Allied soldiers escape Nazi prisons or avoid capture. That meant turning everyday objects into tools. Take the button compass. It looked like part of a soldier’s uniform, nothing more. But inside sat a tiny magnetic needle. Line it up on a string, and suddenly you knew which way was north. Hairbrushes carried folded maps or money. Monopoly boards weren’t just for killing time; they came with real bills mixed in, and if you saw a red dot on “Free Parking,” chances were good there was more than a game in the box. A few companies, including the U.S. Playing Card Company, also did their part. Soldiers could peel away the top layer of a card to
uncover silk escape maps. Cigarette packs from the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company carried radio parts. Gillette even made razor blades that acted like a compass if you balanced them on a stick. What’s remarkable is that the companies involved never asked for recognition or payment. Gillette, R.J. Reynolds, and the Playing Card Company volunteered and helped. And the gadgets kept coming. Radios hidden in suitcases. Hollow heels in boots with maps tucked inside. Even Ping-Pong paddles had secret compartments. Guards saw these items and didn’t give them a second thought. That was the point. Most of the devices were destroyed when the war ended. But enough stories survived to give us a glimpse. Clever doesn’t even begin to cover it. For many prisoners, a deck of cards or a shaving kit wasn’t just a distraction. It was a shot at freedom.
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Published by Newsletter Pro • NewsletterPro.com
Join Our Annual Toy Drive! Donate Today and Bring Holiday Joy to Local Kids This season, you have the power to make a child’s holiday magical. Kulas & Crawford is proud to partner once again with 4KIDS Treasure Coast for our annual holiday toy drive! From newborns to teens, hundreds of children in Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee counties rely on loving, supportive communities, especially during the holidays.
Here’s how you can help:
• Donate unwrapped toys for ages newborn to 18. • Drop off gifts at our Port St. Lucie or Vero offices by Monday, Dec. 8 . • Think beyond toys: Teens love self-care items, sports gear, beauty products, or tech gadgets.
Your generosity brings hope, homes, and healing to children who need it most.
Join us in making this holiday season unforgettable. Pick up a toy, drop it off, and spread joy today! Let’s show these kids the power of community and compassion.
Questions? Visit 4KIDS.us for more details or reach out to our offices.
Give a gift. Give hope. Give joy.
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