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Dear Clients and Friends,
We hope you had a wonderful summer and are re-energized and invigorated for the new routines and fresh starts that Fall brings! In this issue of our newsletter you will learn five facts about irrevocable trusts, what is worrying retirees, the basics of long-term care planning, as well as upcoming events you shouldn't miss and other news from SS&B.
The topic of Irrevocable Trusts is always popular because people want to learn more about how and if this type of trust can benefit them. In her article "Five Facts to Know About Irrevocable Trusts," Suzanne Sayward gives the nuts and bolts on this complex topic, including how to address beneficiary and owner rights, amending the trust and tax related guidelines.
Read about what is keeping retirees up at night as Steve Samuel summarizes the findings of an informal Wall Street Journal survey recently conducted with retirees in "What Surprises and Worries Retirees?" On topics from money and health to relationships to the benefits of planning ahead, some of the results will surprise you!
Do you need to think about long-term care planning? Read Pamela Greenfield's article to find out who should be thinking about this type of planning and how meeting with an elder law lawyer can help you.
The next program in our Smart Counsel Series entitled Yours, Mine and Ours - Planning for Blended Families, will take place on Thursday, November 16 in our Dedham office. Look for an email invitation in the coming weeks.
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.
Steven Joshua Samuel
Suzanne R. Sayward
Maria C. Baler
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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: How do I choose who to name as my executor, power of attorney, and health care agent? I don't want to hurt any of my children's feelings.
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by Attorney Suzanne R. Sayward
In my estate planning and elder law practice, many clients express curiosity about Irrevocable Trusts, wanting to know what an Irrevocable Trust is used for and how it works. Here are five things to know about Irrevocable Trusts.
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What Surprises and Worries Retirees?
By Steven Joshua Samuel JD, MBA, AIF®
If you're old enough to be thinking about retirement, one way to get some insight is to ask individuals who have already retired. That's what the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) did recently, and though many of the retirees' reports do not seem all that surprising, they are worth attention if you are within 10 years of retirement or already retired. Here's some of what WSJ reader retirees reported.
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Long-Term Care Planning Update
By: Attorney Pamela Greenfield
We often tell our clients that everyone over the age of 18 should meet with an estate planning attorney to sign basic estate planning documents such as a will, power of attorney and health care proxy. But who benefits from seeing an elder law attorney? If you fall into one of the categories listed below, it's time to give us a call to discuss long-term care planning with one of our qualified elder law attorneys:
1. You or your spouse are over 65; 2. You or your spouse have a chronic health condition which could eventually result in high care costs;
3. You or a loved one is currently living in an assisted living facility, skilled nursing facility or receiving home care;
4. You have transferred your home or other assets into an irrevocable trust;
5. You have met with an elder law attorney in the past but your circumstances have changed (loss of a spouse, declining health, change in assets); or
6. You have met with an elder law attorney to review your long-term care plan, but more than three years have passed since that review.
An elder law attorney can help you understand what options are available for the care you may require, what options are available to pay for that care, whether or not you will qualify to receive public benefits to pay for that care, and if changes in your estate plan documents or ownership of assets would be beneficial in light of your situation. We look forward to assisting with your long-term care planning.
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What's New at Samuel, Sayward & Baler LLC
Looking for a Speaker?
We can help! Our attorneys speak frequently before professional organizations, to current and prospective clients, and at local senior centers on a variety of estate planning, estate settlement and elder law topics. If your group is looking for a speaker on these topics, or would like to learn more about Wills, Trusts, Estate Taxes, Asset Protection Planning, Probate or other related topics, please let us know!
Smart Counsel Series Update
Suzanne Sayward and Maria Baler spoke on
The Role of the Fiduciary at our July 20th Smart Counsel Series program. Attendees learned about the responsibilities involved in serving as a Trustee, Personal Representative or Attorney-in-fact and gained insight into the characteristics that someone who is named to fill those roles should possess. This is always a popular program chock-full of practical information. If you are interested in hearing more about it contact Suzanne or Maria.
Our September 14th program featured Steve Samuel, Pam Greenfield and
Tobe Gerard CLTC, MBA, MLS, LIA, with a presentation on
Long-Term Care Insurance: What is It, Do you Need It and Can you Afford It? We had a full house at our program and attendees asked questions about what is involved in qualifying for long term care insurance, the various types of policies available, the costs involved in purchasing long term care insurance, and the benefits of owning this type of insurance.
Upcoming Events
The next program in our Smart Counsel Series is
Yours, Mine and Ours - Planning for Blended Families and will take place on Thursday, November 16 at our office. If you or someone in your family is a member of a blended family, you will not want to miss this program which will touch on some of the unique estate planning issues that blended families need to consider.
On October 19, 2017 Pam Greenfield will also participate in the annual MassHealth Update presented by Halfmoon Education, Inc. in Waltham where she will cover MassHealth long-term care planning basics as well as advanced planning issues.
Other News
Pam is back from maternity leave!
Attorney Greenfield is in the office all day on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays and on Fridays from 9:00 to 3:00. Call Jennifer Poles today to make an appointment!
On a personal note, Pam and her husband, Josh, will also be co-hosting a special event for families, caregivers, medical professionals and friends to support children facing congenital heart disease. Families Helping Families will be held on September 23, 2017 in Qunicy. All proceeds benefit the Ethan Lindberg Foundation, which is an organization that is very important to the Greenfields. To learn more: http://www.ethanlindberg.com/events/.
Suzanne Sayward Presented to Fellow Attorneys at Full-Day Estate Planning Conference
Suzanne Sayward participated on a panel of four attorneys who presented on Administering the Trust after Your Client Dies to a sold-out audience of estate planners at the Massachusetts Forum of Estate Planning Attorneys' full day program on Trust Administration held at Babson College on July 21. The program provided attendees with valuable information about advising clients who are serving as Trustees.
Super Lawyers Names Suzanne Sayward Top Rated Estate Planning and Probate Attorney
Congratulations to Suzanne Sayward who was named as a Super Lawyer for the 7th year in a row and designated as a Top Rated Estate Planning and Probate Attorney!
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
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Samuel, Sayward & Baler LLC, 858 Washington Street, Suite 202, Dedham, Massachusetts
781-461-1020
www.ssbllc.com
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