Choosing someone to care for your kids if something happens to you is one of the most important – and most emotional – decisions you’ll ever make as a parent. It’s not just about picking someone you love; it’s about finding the right people who can step into very different roles when your family needs it most. For young families, especially those juggling busy schedules and ever-evolving support systems, it’s important to think about guardianship in two distinct categories: long-term (permanent) guardians and short-term (temporary) guardians.

To learn more visit: https://ssbllc.com/your-kids-your-plan-choosing-short-term-and-long-term-guardians/

Attorney Leah Kofos discusses AI & Estate Planning in this week’s edition of Smart Counsel for Lunch.

As artificial intelligence becomes a bigger part of everyday life, it is important to understand how it may affect planning, decision-making, privacy, and the future of your estate plan.

Watch now to learn what you should know, and contact Samuel, Sayward & Baler, LLC to discuss your estate planning needs.

Learn more here:

Happy April Fools’ Day!

Today is full of tricks and pranks, but don’t let common estate planning myths fool you. Watch this video, then read more here to learn the top five estate planning myths for young families: https://ssbllc.com/5-estate-planning-myths-for-young-families/

In this episode of Smart Counsel for Lunch, Attorney Leah Kofos sits down with Christina Pavlina, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Jane Does Well, a nonprofit organization providing divorce care, support, and educational programs for single women and mothers.

They discuss the importance of community, support, and practical resources for women navigating divorce and major life transitions.

To learn more about Jane Does Well or get involved, visit: https://www.janedoeswell.org/

To learn more about Samuel, Sayward & Baler and the Smart Counsel for Lunch series, visit https://ssbllc.com/

Many people assume that if they pass away, everything will simply go to their spouse and children automatically—so there’s no real need for a Will. It’s an understandable assumption, but, unfortunately, it isn’t always how things work.

When someone dies without a Will, state law determines who inherits their assets and how those assets are distributed. While family members are often included, the outcome may not be as simple, efficient, or aligned with your wishes as you might expect.

In this week's Smart Counsel for Lunch, Attorney Brittany Hinojosa Citron breaks down what you should know about planning for your future.

To learn more, read here: https://ssbllc.com/why-everything-goes-to-my-family-anyway-isnt-a-plan/

This week on Smart Counsel for Lunch, Attorney Sean Downing breaks down why naming a minor child as a beneficiary on an account may not be the best approach and what to keep in mind when planning ahead.

To learn more, visit us at www.ssbllc.com or call us at 781-461-1020.

During this interminable winter of 2026, when our minds and bodies are numb from the cold and starved for Vitamin D from the lack of sunshine, an estate planning attorney’s thoughts turn to things that are always on our mind: death and taxes—the two certainties of life—and how to minimize the impact of both on our clients.

Read more here: https://ssbllc.com/five-things-an-estate-planning-attorney-thinks-about-while-stuck-at-home-during-a-blizzard/

Save the date! Our Spring Seminar Series is here, with four free, in-person sessions designed to help you get important planning done with clarity and confidence:

March 10: Spring Forward into Action: Estate Planning Basics
April 14: Not Dead Yet: Learning About Death and Taxes
May 12: One Mom’s Guide to Estate Planning: What Every Parent Should Know
June 9: Estate Planning for Nontraditional Families

✅ Learn more and register here: https://ssbllc.com/events/

#EstatePlanning #WillsAndTrusts #ElderLaw #DedhamMA #MassachusettsLaw

Can money raised on GoFundMe become part of someone’s estate? Attorney Brittany Hinojosa Citron breaks down how fundraised assets may be treated in estate planning, what families should know, and why proper planning matters. If you’re organizing a fundraiser or thinking ahead for loved ones, this is an important conversation to have.

Visit us at www.ssbllc.com to learn more and start the conversation!

Attorney Leah Kofos sits down with Jolie Loetz for a quick conversation about her campaign with Blood Cancer United and why this cause is so personal and urgent.

If you’re able, please consider supporting Jolie’s fundraising page here:
https://pages.lls.org/svoy/ma/svoyboston26/jloetz

#BloodCancerUnited #LLS #Fundraising #CancerAwareness #SmartCounselForLunch

It’s almost Valentine’s Day, a celebration of all types of love in your life. But sometimes love doesn’t work out, and it’s important to plan ahead to protect your assets from the worst-case scenario.

Read our latest blog here to learn more: https://ssbllc.com/broken-hearts-and-lost-inheritances-protecting-money-left-to-a-divorcing-child/

When people hear the word “Trust,” they often picture something complicated, cumbersome, or reserved for the ultra-wealthy. In reality, Trusts are incredibly practical tools for everyday families – and in many cases, they’re far more effective than a simple Will. Although Wills serve an important purpose, a well-drafted Trust can offer protections and flexibility that a Will simply can’t provide.

Read our latest blog here to learn about the five key reasons why a Trust may be the better choice for your estate plan:

Attorney Sean Downing discusses our Winter 2026 Newsletter, for our Smart Counsel for Lunch Series. Please watch and if you have any questions or want to learn more please call us at 781 461-1020.

Please find the newsletter here: https://ssbllc.com/whats-new-at-samuel-sayward-baler-llc-dont-miss-our-january-2026-newsletter/

Attorney Brittany Hinojosa Citron Discusses The Income Tax Differences Between Revocable and Irrevocable Trusts, for this week's Smart Counsel for Lunch. Please watch and if you have any questions or want to learn more please call us at 781 461-1020.

Transferring a home or other real estate into a revocable living trust is a common estate planning strategy designed to avoid probate, maintain privacy, and streamline management of property during incapacity. While the concept sounds straightforward, the process can raise legal, financial, tax, and practical issues that are often overlooked.

On this week's Smart Counsel for Lunch, Attorney Leah Kofos helps you understand these considerations to help prevent unintended consequences and costly corrections later.

To read more visit: https://ssbllc.com/key-issues-to-be-aware-of-when-transferring-real-estate-to-a-revocable-trust/

It’s now 2026, and many of us are looking for ways to start the new year on a good foot. In this week’s Smart Counsel for Lunch, Attorney Sean Downing looks at 5 Estate Plan New Year’s Resolutions. Read here: https://ssbllc.com/5-estate-plan-resolutions/

As the holidays race toward us, our thoughts turn to the perfect gift for everyone on our list. It is also the time of year when many of our clients think about making larger gifts to family members and want a refresher on the gifting rules.

Although understanding the gift tax rules is important, there are other factors beyond those rules that should be considered if you are considering making a large gift, whether during the holidays or at any time of year. One of the least understood but more important factors is basis, which is impacted by whether an asset is gifted or inherited.

Please visit our website to read more: https://ssbllc.com/to-gift-or-not-to-gift-understanding-basis/

On this week’s Smart Counsel for Lunch series, Attorney Brittany Hinojosa Citron explains the difference between an heir and a beneficiary. If you have any questions or want to learn more, please call us at 781-461-1020 or visit our website at https://ssbllc.com/

Most people feel honored to be named as a successor Trustee as it signifies that the grantor (trust maker) has great faith and confidence in them. However, with that honor comes a lot of responsibility and potential liability if the Trustee does not carry out their duties properly and timely.

In this video, Attorney Sean Downing walks through 5 key things to know when you step into the role of Successor Trustee.

For more information visit ssbllc.com or call 781-461-1020.

Attorney Leah Kofos is reintroducing herself as a trusted member of the Samuel, Sayward & Baler team. 🌿⚖️ In this video, Leah explains how she helps clients protect what matters most through thoughtful, personalized estate planning and guidance.

Please watch and if you have any questions or want to learn more please call us at 781 461-1020.