What numbers should be stress tested before making a move on helping adult children or aging parents financially?

When helping parents with their finances, use appropriate authority such as a power of attorney instead of sharing passwords or informally taking over accounts. The better option depends on household goals, timing, tax effects, liquidity needs, and risk tolerance, so review the numbers together rather than one decision at a time. When the household's goals are considered, run more than one scenario because a recommendation that works only under one return, inflation, or longevity assumption is fragile.