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Matthew Thomas McDonald

Probate Attorney at Knoxville, TN

5.0   2 reviews

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About Matthew

Learn Matthew’s areas of practice.

Matthew was born and raised in Knoxville, TN, attending the Farragut school system. He attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville for undergraduate studies, and completed graduate studies at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu.  After graduate studies and a brief period of teaching, Matthew returned to East Tennessee to attend the University of Tennessee College of Law. 

After law school, Matthew worked as a judicial clerk in the Knox County Chancery Court and also served as Chief Deputy Clerk and Master of the Court, advising deputy clerks and attorneys on procedural issues and ensuring complaince with current law. Matthew served the Court in these roles for seven years.

In September 2020, Matthew moved into private practice and works as an associate attorney at Bernstein, Stair & McAdams LLP. His law practice focuses on estate planning, probate, conservatorships/guardianships and general civil litigation. Drawing upon his service in the Clerk and Master's office, Matthew also has considerable experience with issues related to delinquent property tax litigation and tax sales. 

 

 

 

Licensed for 9 years
State TN
Status Active
Acquired 2014
Updated 03/16/2023

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

Contact Matthew

Similar lawyers nearby

Bernstein, Stair & McAdams LLP
116 Agnes Road
Knoxville, TN, 37919

Reviews

5.0 / 5.0
  2 customer reviews
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Posted by Diane | December 6, 2022
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
The person to guide you through the estate process
When my family member suddenly died, I was the executor/personal representative and living in another state. I received a recommendation from a friend who lived in the same state as my deceased family member to contact estate attorney Matthew McDonald. After Mr. McDonald accepted me as a client, he quickly began a step by step process of taking the estate through probate because of some of its complications. He gave me a questionnaire which helped organize the assets and liabilities of the estate. He explained in understandable terms why I had to fill out certain court forms or had to put an announcement in the paper to notify possible claimants about my family member's death. Mr. McDonald was excellent at keeping me up to date on a tentative timeline to get through probate and sent me the necessary documents to sign, notarize, and return. When he notified me that the probate had closed, I felt an immense sense of relief. Mr. McDonald had made the probate process manageable at a very difficult time for my family. Due to his knowledge of the probate estate process and concern for his clients well-being, I recommend him to anyone needing an estate attorney.
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Response from Matthew McDonald December 8, 2022
Thank you so much for your kind words. It always makes the job easier to have such an engaged personal representative. There was a lot of heavy lifting to be done in this estate, and I think we made a great team. Please call on us if we can ever assist you or your family again.
Posted by Mary Lou | February 4, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Legal Services
Matt McDonald prepared legal documents for me and he was very helpful in assisting me through the legal wordage. I really appreciated his explanations and willingness to spend time answering my questions. I am completely happy with his services.

Cost

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Contact for Details

Resume

AVVO RATING 7.3 (Very Good)

Work Experience

  • Associate Attorney
  • Bernstein, Stair & McAdams, LLP
  • 2020 - Present
  • Chief Deputy Clerk and Master/Judicial Law Clerk
  • Knox County Chancery Court
  • 2013 - 2020

Education

  • University of Tennessee College of Law
  • JD - Juris Doctor
  • 2014
  • University of Hawaii, Manoa
  • MA - Masters
  • 2005
  • University of Tennessee, Knoxville (main)
  • BA - Bachelor of Arts
  • 2002

Legal Cases

  • Penny Brennan v. Randii Goble

Associations

  • Tennessee Bar Association
  • Member
  • 2019 - Present
  • Knoxville Bar Association
  • Member
  • 2014 - Present
  • Phi Alpha Delta
  • Member
  • 2011 - Present

Languages Spoken

  • English

Honors and Awards

  • Excellence in Estate Planning Seminar
  • University of Tennessee College of Law
  • 2014

Speaking Engagements

  • Ins and Outs of Judicial Sales
  • Delinquent Property Tax Suit and Sale
  • 2020

Attorney endorsements

Received (4)
Given (1)
Endorse Matthew
Guardianship Attorney | Nov 15
Relationship: Other
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. McDonald is highly intelligent, personable and worldly. He has significant experience in numerous matters that come before the Chancery Courts."
Estate planning Attorney | Oct 26
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"There are few lawyers in Knox County who know as much about estates at Matt McDonald. His time in the Knox County Probate Court has given him insight that it would take other lawyers many many more years to have. He is also patient and skilled. I recommend him to you without question."
Estate planning Attorney | Oct 22
Relationship: Co-worker
"I worked with Matt McDonald for several years while he was employed by the Knox County Chancery Court. I found him to highly knowledgeable, respectful and kind. I am thrilled that he is in private practice with our firm now!"
Litigation Attorney | Oct 22
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Very adept at understanding legal frameworks; steeped in the law."