team-member

Benjamin Smith

Pittsfield, MA

Licensed for 32 years

Law Degree

Awards

Primary Practice Area

Employment & Labor

Language

English

About

My practice is like a wheel, and the hub of the wheel is the trusts and estates practice. The spokes of the wheel are the practice areas that frequently intersect with that core practice – estate planning and estate taxation; probate and estate administration law; elder, health care and disability planning; real estate law; civil litigation; guardianship and mental health law; charitable gift planning; and, succession issues for family businesses.Admitted to practice in Massachusetts, and several federal courts and agenciesFIVE RULES FOR EVERY ATTORNEY ENGAGEMENT1. Your lawyer must be a good listener. 2. The lawyer is the adviser, but the client is the decider. The purpose and goal of the legal engagement must be clear to both lawyer and client.3. Lawyer and client must discuss and agree on fees. Clients should never be surprised by a legal bill.4. Lawyers must respond to client calls or emails promptly.5. Lawyers should always try to help their clients find the right professionals when a matter outside the scope of the lawyer's practice arises. When a client calls me with a criminal or a divorce matter (which I do not do) or a matter in a state where I am not licensed, I do not send them away. I try to make a quality referral, and get them into capable hands. 

Practices Areas

Estate Planning

Real Estate

Employment and labor

Probate

Elder Law

Language

English

Contact

Benjamin Smith & Associates, Legal Counsel PC75 North St Ste 320Pittsfield, MA, 01201-5150

Office: N/A

Website: N/A

Reviews

Annette
November 15, 2017

Estate planning is a difficult topic, as an Accountant, I knew what my Mom should have to protect her assets but getting my Mom to agree was a totally different thing. Ben took the time to listen to what I thought my Mom needed and to my Mom and was able to come up with an estate plan where all of my concerns were addressed. He has so much compassion for his clients, my Mom felt comfortable with him within a few minutes of our initial meeting.

Robert
November 15, 2017

I hired Ben in the summer of 2017 to prepare two important documents: a Durable Power of Attorney, and a Health Care Proxy/Living Will. I also used him as a consultant on my will, which was prepared by an attorney in New York City. Ben's expertise and professionalism were clearly evident throughout the processes. He answered all my questions thoroughly, without pretense or condescension, and made it plain that these important documents were as much of a priority for him as they were for me. Ben's friendly, unassuming manner, coupled with his admirable habit of responding to phone calls and e-mails promptly made all my dealings with him a pleasure. I have dealt with some pretty hotshot attorneys in my time, and Ben ranks up there with the best of them; he's the real deal.

anonymous
November 14, 2017

He was there when it counted ! We know Ben for several years, both professionally and personally. Here is an attorney who was able to structure a financial plan encompassing our complicated family situation with compassion and sharp insights. I am a retired financial planner. I know expertise when I see it.

anonymous
November 13, 2017

Ben Smith helped secure a claim we had with my mothers house insurance which will provide us more financial security dealing with mom's long term residence. We appreciate his handling of our claim in a very professional manner.

Annette
November 15, 2017

Estate planning is a difficult topic, as an Accountant, I knew what my Mom should have to protect her assets but getting my Mom to agree was a totally different thing. Ben took the time to listen to what I thought my Mom needed and to my Mom and was able to come up with an estate plan where all of my concerns were addressed. He has so much compassion for his clients, my Mom felt comfortable with him within a few minutes of our initial meeting.

Robert
November 15, 2017

I hired Ben in the summer of 2017 to prepare two important documents: a Durable Power of Attorney, and a Health Care Proxy/Living Will. I also used him as a consultant on my will, which was prepared by an attorney in New York City. Ben's expertise and professionalism were clearly evident throughout the processes. He answered all my questions thoroughly, without pretense or condescension, and made it plain that these important documents were as much of a priority for him as they were for me. Ben's friendly, unassuming manner, coupled with his admirable habit of responding to phone calls and e-mails promptly made all my dealings with him a pleasure. I have dealt with some pretty hotshot attorneys in my time, and Ben ranks up there with the best of them; he's the real deal.

anonymous
November 14, 2017

He was there when it counted ! We know Ben for several years, both professionally and personally. Here is an attorney who was able to structure a financial plan encompassing our complicated family situation with compassion and sharp insights. I am a retired financial planner. I know expertise when I see it.

anonymous
November 13, 2017

Ben Smith helped secure a claim we had with my mothers house insurance which will provide us more financial security dealing with mom's long term residence. We appreciate his handling of our claim in a very professional manner.

Annette
November 15, 2017

Estate planning is a difficult topic, as an Accountant, I knew what my Mom should have to protect her assets but getting my Mom to agree was a totally different thing. Ben took the time to listen to what I thought my Mom needed and to my Mom and was able to come up with an estate plan where all of my concerns were addressed. He has so much compassion for his clients, my Mom felt comfortable with him within a few minutes of our initial meeting.

Robert
November 15, 2017

I hired Ben in the summer of 2017 to prepare two important documents: a Durable Power of Attorney, and a Health Care Proxy/Living Will. I also used him as a consultant on my will, which was prepared by an attorney in New York City. Ben's expertise and professionalism were clearly evident throughout the processes. He answered all my questions thoroughly, without pretense or condescension, and made it plain that these important documents were as much of a priority for him as they were for me. Ben's friendly, unassuming manner, coupled with his admirable habit of responding to phone calls and e-mails promptly made all my dealings with him a pleasure. I have dealt with some pretty hotshot attorneys in my time, and Ben ranks up there with the best of them; he's the real deal.

anonymous
November 14, 2017

He was there when it counted ! We know Ben for several years, both professionally and personally. Here is an attorney who was able to structure a financial plan encompassing our complicated family situation with compassion and sharp insights. I am a retired financial planner. I know expertise when I see it.

anonymous
November 13, 2017

Ben Smith helped secure a claim we had with my mothers house insurance which will provide us more financial security dealing with mom's long term residence. We appreciate his handling of our claim in a very professional manner.