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Welcome to MA Wills and Trusts
Estate planning by Joel Bernstein.​

​Joel Bernstein is a Lexington, MA based estate planning attorney who has garnered attention from the greater Boston community since he opened the law practice in 1992.

​His plain English documents, letters and personal speaking style provides an educational approach.

His background in automation (published national columnist for the ABA), focus in this one area of law, and concern for easier to understand format, makes him a unique estate planning attorney in the greater Boston area.

​"Daily I listen to people describe themselves, their families, and their assets. I then translate this discussion into legal documents that help if they die or become incapacitated. To make the situation less difficult, to protect assets when needed, to lower estate taxes when possible, and to do this in the most natural way I can."       
​         Joel Bernstein
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​Come talk about any of these estate planning concerns:

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Four major goals of estate planning explained

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Starting to Work with Us

Naming a Child's Guardian (Just in Case)

Beneficiary with a Problem? Your choices outlined:
>  Ignore problem
>  Leave zero
>  Leave share in trust

If Estate Over $1 Million, Consider Estate Tax Steps

Plain English Living Trust - What Is It About?

How Often Do Experts Suggest Review of Will or Trust?

What a Durable Power of Attorney Can Do For You

MA Health Care Proxy Basics

After a Death 

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​Call us at 781-863-8606. Ask to set up a "Meet1."
We'll know what to do. It's all we do.
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​"A revocable living trust allows your heirs to avoid probate entirely and keeps you in complete control of your finances while you're alive. You can always make changes to what's in the trust and to how you'd ultimately like it managed or disbursed."  Suze Orman

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​Below:  Sample Plain English approach
 ​Click for More about Plain English

Abit of humor

"Now read me the part again where I disinherit everybody."

​"You seem to know something about law. I like that in an attorney,"

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Why us?
Focused
​We concentrate in this ar​ea of law, and I've studied many aspects of MA estate planning using wills, and particularly trusts, for 26 years.

​Through regular, early morning study, I've kept away from trying to master many (too many) areas of law. And by studying a single area (or two).

Another's website frequently shows many areas of law - one after another. Instead, I want to know one, well. 

​Easier to understand  
Plain English for you and your family (when you're gone). And for 24 years we've uniquely updated clients twice a year on law changes, reminding them about changes in their own lives as well.

Recognized in field
Conceived and edited chapter in 119 year old treatise Loring and Rounds: A Trustee's Handbook. Regular lecturer to  professionals on income taxation of trusts and estates. Former American Bar Association columnist on technology. Three major law articles.

Efficient post death system 
We've taken the time and effort to systemize accomplishing the steps needed after death. The bereaved appreciate this approach and the Trustee's Handbook  takes note. So we can expedite post death administration of trusts and probate of wills - while giving the client a better understanding of the process.

Non-U.S. Citizens - Green card holders
This is one of the areas we frequently deal with. There are special concerns, both during life and after a death has occurred.

Experienced 
Over 27 years in the field.  Over 2700+ trusts and wills. 

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My offer to you
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A personalized, objective, clear discussion about your estate planning options.

People come to us when they want a clear, understandable discussion of their estate planning situation. But first, let me tell you about our approach (all lawyers are different):
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"Most mornings, around 6 a.m. I brew a pot of coffee at home and read for 45 minutes. In the winter, I read next to my living room fire. In the summer, I read outside.

I focus on the law involving wills, trusts, or post death administration of these estate planning approaches.

I've found that my concentration and understanding is best at this time of day, and 45 minutes optimum for me.

I do this because all my professional work is dedicated to this one area of law. So I often see my reading helping prospects and clients daily, often multiple times in a week. I've been doing this for about 20 years.

When I finish, I put a bookmark in place and go to the office. There I want to communicate with each new person  or existing client in as plain English as I can. 

​Like a farmer, I arise early so others don't have to. I love the morning, and the quiet. And learning on a daily basis. So, come talk about your own estate planning."
     
Joel Bernstein
​Lexington, MA
April 2019

Contact Us

Call us at (781) 863-8606 or email us at joel@jbernsteinlaw.com. We will contact you and set a date and time to meet to discuss your estate planning. 

Would you like a quick overview?
​​Click on the video below and  see Joel on public TV.

Public TV Interview of Joel Bernstein

From the TV interview on Lexington cable, August 2016. Discussing:

• the basics of wills and trusts
• how he works with clients
• the importance of keeping your estate planning up-to-date

Need help? Request a consultation.

20+ Plain English Articles by guest author Vickie Schumacher

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