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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 1 - 2 of 2 reviews | Free Consultations
Posted by anonymous | February 14, 2018 | Estate Planning
Unprofessional and too expensive
We made a consultation appointment with Attorney Joel Bernstein to discus creating a trust. I was not told that there was a fee to meet with him when I made the appointment. At the conclusion of the ~ 30 minute appointment, where 1/2 the time was spent discussing some vague scribbles on a white boa...
Joel Bernstein
Replied last February 14, 2018Sorry that you feel the way you've expressed. I am not sure what happened in your case - as it's been our very regular practice (days before a meeting) to write to each person who makes an appointment explaining how we work and why we charge (and what we charge) for the consultation. Sometimes an appointment is made for a date that doesn't allow us enough time to get out the letter - maybe that happened here. Most people like my use of a large whiteboard to illustrate the pros and cons of various types of estate planning - including wills, trust, etc. It sounds like that is not your favored learning style. I apologize if I should have taken a different approach - people usually gain much from it. We do charge for our time - unlike some other attorneys, we take the initial meeting to be an in-depth but relaxed discussion. And by charging we can give an honest, unbiased appraisal of what estate planning you should consider. Joel Bernstein
Posted by anonymous | February 14, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning
Trusts completed
We attended a free, public lecture by Joel on the role of trusts in estate planning and were positively impressed by his knowledge and understandable presentation. We used our free consultation to find out more and signed on to have him prepare trusts for me and my wife. The process was straight-fo...
Joel Bernstein
Replied last February 14, 2018Anon - I'd like to thank you for your honest appraisal of our work here in Lexington, MA using wills and trusts to accomplish estate planning. 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