Partners' Letter
Dear Clients and Friends,
 
Spring is almost sprung and here at SS&B we look forward to the warm weather and turning the page on this very white winter! With the winter snowstorms came uncertainty, as you never know what you are going to get. Perhaps it is with this in mind that many of the articles in this issue revolve around the theme of "planning ahead" and how being prepared and informed can help you avoid future problems. In addition to useful tips and best practices, in this issue you will read about upcoming events, firm news and more.
 
Although it may seem morbid to plan for an injury that might never happen, you may want to heed the advice from Attorney Abigail Poole who slipped on the ice and broke her ankle this winter. Abby shares things she could have done ahead of time that would have helped her and her close family and friends to be more prepared in dealing with the aftermath of an unexpected injury.
 
Many people create a Trust as part of their estate plan and in going through the process have to make the critical decision of selecting a trustee. The "right" trustee will inform the success of the Trust and Attorney Sayward provides advice on "Five things..." to consider and think through before selecting a trustee.
 
You can plan ahead by learning as much as you can now about Medicare... and there is a lot to know. Steve Samuel and Maureen Baxter, of Commonwealth Financial Network, explain the basics of Medicare and health care costs, its terminology, how it coordinates payments with other health plans, and more.
 
In our upcoming Smart Counsel Seminar Series Attorney Pamela Greenfield will lead a discussion on the benefits of "Rightsizing" for seniors. The program will cover various aspects of selling your home and selecting an ideal senior living situation that works for you financially, socially and demographically.  The program will be presented in April, May and June at three different locations. Details are in the newsletter.

As always, we encourage you to send us ideas for future articles.  Please feel free to send us email addresses for new subscribers or forward this newsletter to friends and family members.  Happy Spring!
 
Steven Joshua Samuel
Suzanne R. Sayward
Maria C. Baler 
We've added a new feature to our newsletter - Ask SSB. Each newsletter we will publish a question and answer posed by one of our readers.  Email your questions about estate planning, estate and trust administration or elder law to Jennifer.
 
This month's question is:
 
Q - My mom passed away a few months ago.  She had a will that leaves everything to me and my sister equally.  That means we don't have to go through probate, right? 

By Attorney Suzanne R. Sayward

Many people create a Trust as part of their estate plan. A Trust can be used to avoid probate, reduce estate taxes, manage assets for beneficiaries and provide creditor protection for an inheritance. A key element of a Trust is the Trustee. The Trustee is the person charged with carrying out the Trust maker's instructions -- "this is the big job."   Choosing the right Trustee is a key element to ensuring the estate plan you create will achieve your goals. So how do you choose the right person to serve as Trustee? Here are five questions to ask yourself about the person you are considering.
What You Need to Know About Medicare
 
By  Maureen Baxter, CLU®, ChFC ® and Steven Joshua Samuel JD MBA AIF ®
 
"Total projected lifetime health care premiums (Medicare Parts B and D, supplemental insurance, and dental insurance) for a healthy 65-year-old couple retiring this year are expected to be $321,994 in today's dollars." It's more important than ever to understand health care costs and choices in planning for retirement.
 
In this article, Maureen Baxter, a Commonwealth Financial Network Colleague (with some editing by Steven Joshua Samuel) will explain the basics of Medicare and how it coordinates payments with other plans.
Lessons Learned from an Injury
By Attorney Abigail Poole

In late December, I slipped on some ice and broke my right ankle. I had surgery on the ankle in mid-January, and I am still in the process of recovering and working toward "getting back to normal." As they say, "hindsight is 20/20", and I have thought about what may have made the entire experience easier for both myself and my family members, friends, and work colleagues who have assisted me during this time. Below I share a few things that may help you be more prepared in case you encounter a similar situation.
What's New at Samuel, Sayward & Baler LLC
 
Welcome Ed!
 
Meet the newest member of our team, Edward Poles. Ed joined Samuel, Sayward & Baler in February as the firm's Legal Assistant. Ed answers our phones, greets clients, and can help you if you want additional copies of your estate plan documents or if you want to update your contact information. Ed can be reached at edward@ssbllc.com or (781) 461-1020 ext. 200.
 
Upcoming Smart Counsel Seminar
 
Our next Smart Counsel presentation will be held on May 10, 2018, at 6:00 p.m. Wine, cheese and other light refreshments will be served.
 
Attorney Pamela B. Greenfield will join Adam Shamus of Keller Williams Realty, Judy Dovev of Elder Life Directions and Amy Roberts of Out of the Box Moves to discuss the benefits of "Rightsizing" for seniors.  The program will cover the various aspects of selling your home and selecting an ideal senior living situation that works for you financially, socially and demographically. 

To sign up for our n ext Smart Counsel presentation, click here.
 
In addition to our Smart Counsel presentation, the program will be presented at three different locations this Spring:
 
-          April 24th at 5:30 pm at Avita of Needham, 880 Greendale Ave, Needham
 
-          May 11th at 1:00 pm at the Needham Council on Aging Center at the Heights, 300 Hillside Avenue, Needham
 
-          June 8th at 2:00 pm at the Newton Senior Center, 345 Walnut St, Newton

Good luck Brianna!
 
Brianna Crosby has transitioned from Samuel, Sayward and Baler over to Samuel Financial where she answers phones and schedules appointments.

These articles are not intended to provide legal advice or create or imply an attorney-client relationship. No information contained herein is a substitute for a personal consultation with an attorney
Samuel, Sayward & Baler LLC, 858 Washington Street, Suite 202, Dedham, Massachusetts  
781-461-1020      www.ssbllc.com