Samuel, Sayward & Baler LLC

06/18/2026

Father’s Day reminds us that family can take many forms.

In this Smart Counsel for Lunch episode, Attorney Sean Downing discusses guardianship and the important roles fathers, stepdads, grandparents, uncles, and other trusted loved ones can play in protecting a family’s future.

Visit ssbllc.com to learn more.

06/17/2026

An estate planning kit can help you get your life in order with life admin worksheets to fill out key details: NYT’s Wirecutter reviews one of the most popular examples

“Getting your affairs in order” sounds like a terrible chore. This estate management system makes it much easier (and even more enjoyable) than you might fear.

06/16/2026

A quick cheat-sheet of articles that deal with different aspects of estate planning:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/comprehensive-guide-to-effective-estate-planning/ss-AA25Alt6

06/15/2026

How to help adult kids without negatively impacting retirement plans

The Bank of Mom and Dad can be challenging — financially and emotionally. These tips pave the way.

06/12/2026

Should a son accept his father’s plan for a “family corporation” in which inheritance is pooled?

For one family, a conversation about inheritance quickly started sounding less like estate planning and more like the opening scene of a corporate merger after a father reportedly proposed creating a "family corporation" that he alone would control. A 27-year-old...

06/10/2026

Debt in estate planning: a piggy-bank and post-it metaphor to explain how the estate pays for debt

Whether or not there’s a will, the results are the same.

06/09/2026

Estate planning should reflect the family you have and the people you want protected.

Tomorrow, Attorney Sean Downing will be speaking about estate planning considerations for nontraditional families, including unmarried partners, blended families, single parents, LGBTQ+ families, and others whose planning needs may not fit a standard mold.

This is a free event, but registration is required.

Register at the link in bio.

06/02/2026

Celebrating 10 years of Caitlin Fantegrossi at Samuel, Sayward & Baler LLC!

Since joining the firm in 2016, Caitlin has been an important part of our team as a Senior Probate Paralegal. Her work supporting clients through estate settlement, trust administration, probate pleadings, trust documentation, and estate and trust accountings is deeply appreciated by both our team and the families we serve.

Please join us in congratulating Caitlin on this milestone and thanking her for 10 years of dedication, professionalism, and care.

06/01/2026

For many families, estate planning needs to go beyond the standard checklist.

Unmarried partners, blended families, single parents, LGBTQ+ families, and others may have unique planning considerations when it comes to decision-making authority, inheritance, guardianship, and protecting the people they love.

Attorney Sean Downing will be speaking on this important topic next week at SSB.

Free event. Sign-up required. Link in bio.

06/01/2026

Ask the tax editor: understanding inherited IRAs and the 10-year clean-out rule

In this week's Ask the Editor Q&A, Joy Taylor answers five questions on inherited IRAs and the 10-year clean-out rule for nonspousal IRAs inherited after 2019.