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David J. Bernstein
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David J. Bernstein
David J. Bernstein
33111 Seneca Drive
Cleveland, OH 44139
Phone: (440) 349-4889
http://www.estatefacts.com
Complete Living Trust Arrangement for $250.
Legal Topic
Business Law
Preferred New Clients
Estate planning, living trusts, Medicaid planning, and Veteran's nursing home benefits planning.
Sub-Categories
Business Formation & Dissolution
- Corporations
- Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)
Legal Topic
Wills, Trusts & Estates
Preferred New Clients
Estate planning, living trusts, Medicaid planning, and Veteran's nursing home benefits planning.
Sub-Categories
Taxes
- Power of Attorney
- Drafting Wills
- Estate Planning
- Living Trusts
- Living Wills
- Guardianship
- Power of Attorney
- Special Needs Trust
- Supplemental Needs Trust
- Revocable Trust & Irrevocable Trust
Bar Admissions
OH, Nov 1983
Bar Number: 0026271
Other Court Admissions
Ohio Supreme Court.
Association Memberships
Ohio Supreme Court.
Continuing Education
I teach continuing legal education seminars.
Papers and Publications
Articles published on estate planning at www.estatefacts.com.
Example Cases
My focus is to keep my clients out of court and save them from the risk, cost, and burden of probate court.
Education
Degree:
Juris Doctor
School:
University of Akron School of Law
City:
Akron
State:
OH
Year:
1983
Focus and Accomplishments:
Estate Planning
Degree:
Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting
School:
Kent State University
City:
Kent
State:
OH
Year:
1980
Honors:
Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) Scholarship.
Focus and Accomplishments:
Commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant, US Army.
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
Ohio
Firm Focus and History
The firm was established on November 1st, 1983, and focuses on estate planning, living trusts, Medicaid planning, and Veteran's nursing home benefits planning.
Previous Employment Summary
JAG, US Army, 1983 to 1987
David J. Bernstein, Attorney at Law, 1987 to present
Activities and Awards
Teaching Continuing Legal Education courses.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
My philosophy is that an educated client is best served by being better informed.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I will review documents prepared by clients.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I do not coach clients who want to represent themselves in court matters, but will advise them on non-court matters.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
To assist people with legal issues.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
When I was in law school, I clerked for an attorney who did estate planning, tax, and business law. As a law clerk, among other duties, I was responsible for preparing and presenting probate forms for deceased clients' estate to the county probate court. I found that the workers at the probate court were not willing to help with the preparation of the paperwork and stated that consultation and payment to a probate attorney was necessary if someone needed help. I had an accounting degree and one and a half years of law school completed. If with this level of training I would initially have problems understanding and completing these forms, what possible chance did an 80 year old widow who just lost her husband have? The estates at the law firm that had a living trust were settled at little or no additional cost in about 4 to 6 weeks. The estates that I was putting through probate were still in probate when I graduated from law school one and a half years later. I decided that I would do living trusts but NOT do probate work as I consider putting a client through probate to be a grossly inferior practice of law.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
My experience with probate court convinced me that I could help people avoid the costs, public nature, long drawn out delays, and agony of the probate process.
What do you like best about your career?
Helping people keep their own money.
Tell us about your law firm:
I am a solo practitioner, so all of my clients deal directly with me.
What are your strengths and style?
I am good at explaining legal information in simple language with easy to understand examples.
Personal Interests:
My law practice is my primary professional focus.
Office Hours
Monday through Thursday: mornings, afternoons, and evenings.
Friday: mornings and afternoons.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
COMPLETE LIVING TRUST ARRANGEMENT FOR A FIXED FEE OF $250:
Complete Living Trust Arrangement Documents include:
Abstract of Trust (proof of the Trust for financial and other institutions)
The Living Trust (including A-B Trust if needed)
Other trusts, i.e., irrevocable trusts for Federal estate tax planning
Durable Powers of Attorney for financial and legal affairs
Pour-over Wills (reciprocal wills if you are married)
Ohio Living Wills and Durable Powers of Attorney for Health Care
The transfer deed(s) for real estate and transfer letters for financial assets
Free Amendment review and consultation for changes to the trust
Hourly Rates
Not applicable.
Free Initial Consultation?
Yes, typically 30 minutes but am flexible.
Typical Retainer
Not applicable.
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.
