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Joel A Bernstein
About Joel
Biography
Review: "Joel is a complete pro in the area of estate planning. He covers every issue that needs to be addressed, He's quick, efficient and professional. I very highly recommend him to anyone looking for estate planning."
Practice Areas
3
Practice Areas
Estate Planning
90%
34 years | 2,500 cases
Probate
5%
34 years | 160 cases
Trusts
5%
34 years | 2,100 cases
Fees and Rates
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Massachusetts for 39 years
State: Massachusetts
Acquired: 1986
No misconduct found
Location
MA Wills and Trusts - Joel Bernstein
33 Bedford Street., Suite 13, Lexington, MA, 02420
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Joel A Bernstein's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
66 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Showing 41 - 45 of 66 reviews
Posted by Frederick | February 14, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning
Five Stars: Excellent
I worked closely with Joel for an extended period of time on my elderly parents' estate plan. The plan required a series of amendments to address various changes in their circumstances. He provided timely, practical legal advice on a series of issues and quality work product throughout. He earned ...
Joel Bernstein
Replied last February 14, 2018Frederick - Many thanks for the great review. Yes, we here at the law office of Joel Bernstein have written to clients 2x each year for the last 25 years - to remind people how life can throw us curves and we should act, not react, in general. Again, many thanks - hope you are well. Joel
Posted by Hank | February 14, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Real Estate
Estate Planning and Wills
Joel Bernstein is an exceptional lawyer. He is extremely detailed regarding every facet of his legal work. I have known Joel for more than 40 years and have seen him excel in legal areas including real estate and wills and trusts. Joel understands both the law and how to most effectively and effic...
Joel Bernstein
Replied last February 14, 2018Hello Hank! I am so pleased you thought highly of our work - as you are a very long term client that I have know for 30+ years! Time is flying by - again, thanks from us here at the law office of Joel Bernstein.
Posted by Katrin | February 14, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning
Performance matched expectations
I met with Joel after attending one of his presentation of the important factors to consider when developing an estate plan. Given my situation, he helped develop a strategy to fit my particular needs that will provide a clear path for my heirs when it is necessary. I found Joel to be personable and...
Joel Bernstein
Replied last February 14, 2018Hello Katrin! - Thanks so much for the great review. Developing an appropriate estate plan is important to us here at the Law Office of Joel Bernstein in Lexington, MA. I try to be a real person when we discuss your estate planning and take whatever time we need. I keep a phone and computer out of the conference room on purpose - it helps us concentrate. And like you said, it makes it all less stressful.
Posted by John | February 14, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning
A Pleaseure to work with.
After or initial consultation during which Joel outlined our Estate Planning options, we hired Joel to construct and put our Estate Plan into place. Everything was done as expected in a timely and professional manner. We very much appreciated Joel's translating of Legal-eese into plain English! I...
Joel Bernstein
Replied last February 14, 2018John - Yes, using Plain English is very important to me. I've been studying the subject for over 10 years and have eliminated much of the pure legalese from my documents and correspondence. I still wish I could make the language even 'more plain' but there are legal and tax concepts that I need to provide. So, I sometimes call is 'Plain(er) English Wills and Trusts.' I live and work in Lexington, MA and enjoy giving talks in my home town. Thanks for the kind words. Joel
Posted by Mark | February 14, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning
Excellent advice and follow through
My wife and I consulted with Joel and hired him for our estate planning. He was very thorough and took the time to explain all the details regarding our plan
Joel Bernstein
Replied last February 14, 2018Mark - Thanks for the comments. I try to be as thorough as possible and because this is the only area of law I work in, it allows me to focus daily on the topics I need to know. Again thanks, Joel
Joel A Bernstein's Lawyer Endorsements
"An excellent lawyer who treats clients with patience, care, understanding, and utmost professionalism - an even better person and I wholeheartedly recommend for future services."
"What I like about Joel is his intelligence, compassionate personality, and comprehensive systems approach to providing legal services. Joel is good at helping his clients prioritize their goals and understand the various legal estate planning options to best accomplish them. In the past Joel and I have collaborated in reviewing and editing some of each others complex trust document templates. I found Joel to be extremely detail oriented and thorough - he doesn't miss anything. I think his great personality, his technical savvy, and his legal knowledge are a winning combination. Also, he gets his work done in a timely manner, no unnecessary delays. "Estate planning done in three weeks" is his mantra. If my parents lived in Massachusetts I would send them to Joel for their estate planning needs. Joel also handles Estate Administration and the Probate of Estates in a caring sensitive way."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have know Joel for over thirty years. Initially, as an employee and colleague, and subsequently, as a trusted professional to whom I have referred clients with estate planning needs. I have found Joel to be thorough, responsive to client needs and very knowledgeable."
"I have known Joel for more than 5 years as an estate planning attorney and friend. As proof if you will of his quality has an attorney I need only think about the intelligence he brings to his cases and to the deep thinking he gives to the law. As for his ability with clients, it is second to none. He has developed a terrific rapport and a system for working through estate plans and administration that would make anyone feel at home with his practice. I am only glad he is not my one-on-one competitor!"
"Joel is an excellent estate planning lawyer and an expert on trusts. His professorial as well as kind and compassionate manner perfectly suits his area of legal practice. I have and will continue to recommend clients to him with the utmost confidence. Attorney Bernstein is a true professional and always a pleasure to work with."
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Experience
Associations
2013 - Present
Cary Library Professional AdvisersLawyer on Board
1993 - 1996
American Academy of Estate Planning AttorneysOn Board of Governors
1986 - 1989
American Bar AssociationEditor of Real Property Technology
Sample of Legal Cases
Saved $99,000 in taxes
Tax Savings
Education
1989
Boston University School of Law
LL.M - Master of Laws
1981
Vermont Law School - Environmental Law Center
Masters in Law
1979
Western New Englahd School of Law
Juris Doctor
1975
Hobart and Wm. Smith Colleges
BA
Speaking Engagements
2014
Washington Society of CPAs
Income Taxation of Trusts and Estates - Washington State
2014
Mastering the Fundamentals of Estate Planning for CPAs
Estate Planning for CPAs
2014
Massachusetts Society of CPAs
Federal Estate and Gift Tax
2014
Estate and Life Planning
Estate and Life Planning for Middle Class Clients
2014
CPA Fiduciary Income Taxation - Advanced
Fiduciary Income Taxation
2014
CPA Education
Advanced Income Tax for CPAS of CT
2014
Advanced Trusts and Estates Law
Advanced Fiduciary Income Taxation
2013
Basics of Trusts for Lawyers and CPAs
Trusts
2011
Mass. Society of Enrolled Agents
Trusts and Estates: Income Taxation
2000
Charles Schwab Inc. Workshop
Advanced Planning for Retirement Assets
1988
Cambridge MA Entrepreneurs - Guest Speaker
Automation of Law Documents
1987
Co-participant of Video
Automating Real Estate Video for ABA
1986
Mid-Year Annual Meeting
Economics of Computer Driven Real Estate Law
1986
Annual Meeting
Computerized Real Estate Conveyacning
Publications
2015
Loring/Rounds on Trusts
Co-wrote Chapter in Loring on Trusts
1990
Real Estate Computer User Group Newsletter
Editor for American Bar Association
1990
Callaghan's Law Office Economics and Management Journal
Economics of Computerized Real Estate
1987
American Bar Association Probate and Property Journal
Editor for American Bar Association
1987
ABA Probate and Property Journal
A Primer on Computerized Real Estate Conveyancing