
overview
Debra Silberstein is considered one of the leading experts in family and elder law and has guided inter-generational families through philanthropic planning for over 25 years. Her practice focuses on trusts and estates, family philanthropic planning, tax-related matters and family and elder law.
In philanthropic planning, Debra helps clients and their families enhance and expand their networks, minimize taxes, and align their estate plans with their philanthropic values. Her position in the field is unique, as she specializes in planning for multiple generations within one family, with some clients spanning from grandparents to grandchildren lines.
education
J.D., Hofstra University School of Law
Ph.D., Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis College
B.A., Syracuse University
admissions
Massachusetts
honors & awards
The National Law Journal (NLJ) Family/Elder Law Trailblazer (2022)
The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) Powley Elder Law Award (2018)

community involvement
Lawrence General Hospital
- Chair, Board of Trustees
Anti-Defamation League
- New England Regional Board
McLean Hospital
- Board of Visitors
Massachusetts General Hospital
- Advisory Council for Bipolar Research
American Hospital Association
- AHA Governance Committee
Andover’s Coalition for Education
- Advisory Board
Heller School at Brandeis University
- Alumni Board
Gov. Deval Patrick’s Education Readiness Project
- Long-Term Financial Planning Subcommittee
Andover School Committee
- Past chair
Merrimack Valley Community Foundation
- Past vice-chair
Andover Finance Committee
- Past member
Women’s Resource Center’s Legal Access Project
- Past director
The Andovers Village at Home (TAVAH)
- Past director
experience
- Estate planning
- Tax planning
- Philanthropic planning
- Estate and trust administration
- Business succession planning
- Elder law
memberships
Massachusetts Bar Association
- Probate Law Section Council
Lawrence Bar Association
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
articles
“Defining, Owning, and Accessing Digital Assets,” Massachusetts Lawyers Journal, February 2015
“Decanting After Morse v. Kraft,” Massachusetts Lawyers Journal, March 2014
Contributing author, “Brief of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys Massachusetts Chapter and AARP as Amici Curae in Support of the Appellant,” Johnson v. Kindred Healthcare, Inc., 466 Mass. 779, 2014
Dissertation Study: Authenticity: How Jewish American Families Sustain Philanthropic Values and Behaviors Aross Generations, August 2009
Debra has also written a number of Amicus briefs for the Massachusetts S.J.C and for publications such as NAELA News and the American Bar Association Probate and Property Magazine.
speaking engagements
“Legal Remedies for Long-Term Mental Health Planning,” Guest Speaker, Mental Horizons Podcast, September 26, 2019
“Estate Planning as a Tool to Protect & Preserve Assets & Minimize Family Conflict”, Speaker, May 2019
“Guardianships, Conservatorships and other Estate Planning Techniques to Leverage support for Family Members and Loved Ones with Mental Illness,” Speaker, November 2017
“Using Estate Planning to Leverage Treatment of Addiction & Mental Illness,” Co-chair, MCLE New England Program, April 2017
Edgewood Retirement Community, Speaker, Spring 2016
“Cutting Issues in Estate Planning,” Co-chair, MCLE New England Program, 2014 and 2015