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Brendan F. Daly

Managing Partner
Principal
brendan@ctseniorlaw.com
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Phone: (860) 236-7673

15 Massirio Dr
Berlin, Connecticut 06037

92 Hopmeadow St
Simsbury, Connecticut 06089

1741 Ellington Rd 2nd Floor
South Windsor, Connecticut 06074

Certified Elder Law Attorney*

Super Lawyers Badge

Brendan is one of Connecticut’s top elder law attorneys according to Super Lawyers Magazine. He has been awarded the designation (which only the top 5% of attorneys receive) every year since 2012. He handles this accolade with modesty but will admit, if pressed, that he has preserved his clients’ estates by creating plans to protect their money as they age and face the prospect of long-term care.

When asked why he chose to practice in the fields of elder law and estate planning, Brendan explains with a quote from Hubert Humphrey:

“The moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and the handicapped.”

“I view this quote through the lens of an advocate and apply the same principles in my practice as an estate planning and elder law attorney, staying true to the responsibilities I’ve assumed in representing clients who are aging and disabled. It is a matter of maintaining at all times the utmost respect, the highest level of client service, and an unwavering dedication to professionalism.”

If you ask any of his clients, they’ll attest to the veracity of this statement.

Brendan has taken his commitment to elder law to a level that very few elder law attorneys do. Since 2008, he has maintained certification as a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA). This is a certification awarded by the National Elder Law Foundation – the only organization approved by the American Bar Association to offer certification in elder law as a result of experience, education, and testing by the National Elder Law Foundation.

Being a Certified Elder Law Attorney is a big deal. For starters, there are only 10 CELAs in all of Connecticut. Part of becoming a CELA entails passing an examination that sees pass rates below 50%. In Brendan’s opinion, passing the CELA exam was far more difficult than passing the Bar Exam to become an attorney. That’s a bold statement.

So why did he go the extra mile and become a CELA?

“When attorneys represent such a vulnerable sector of the population, we must hold ourselves to a higher standard. The designation of CELA is not dispositive; I know many stellar elder law attorneys who lack the certification. But the overwhelming majority of CELAs dedicate themselves exclusively to the practice of elder law, and taking the time to ensure they have the credentials ordinarily translates to competent representation.”

When it comes to working with individuals and their families, Brendan is known for his kindness, compassion, and gentle manner. He listens to your unique story, and he wants you to take comfort knowing he intends to make sure you and your family’s future will be protected.

Brendan feels strongly that a personalized estate plan is as essential as a homeowner’s insurance policy. You likely make it a priority to protect your home, so why wouldn’t you protect everything else you’ve earned? Brendan’s focus on estate planning includes customized planning strategies that allow you to protect your wealth, save on taxes, and protect the people who depend on you.

Because Brendan can cite the Medicaid eligibility rules and regulations in his sleep, he can help you qualify for Medicaid benefits so you can preserve the assets you’ve worked so hard to accumulate. His proven track record in Medicaid appeals means he can fight to overturn improperly denied applications. He will fight tooth and nail to protect you from losing your money to the costs of long-term care.

“I believe passionately in remedying injustice, and I will fight for my clients to ensure this. In two landmark cases—Lopes v. DSS (2012) and Simonsen v. Bremby (2017)—I successfully challenged the Connecticut Department of Social Services when the agency failed to apply federal law for Medicaid applicants. Each of these cases reached the Federal Second Circuit Court of Appeals. The Lopes case, in particular, was a game-changer in Connecticut, paving the way for married couples to preserve assets well above the federal spousal cap.”

When Brendan saw the injustice for the families he was working with, he used his expansive knowledge and experience with Medicaid to defend them, and ultimately changed state law in a way that significantly benefitted Connecticut’s senior and disabled residents. His advocacy in federal court has profoundly transformed the landscape of elder law in Connecticut.

What does Brendan do when he’s not in the office? Well, in his own words:

“I’m a family man, perfectly content hanging out with my beautiful wife, Kristen, and my two awesome kids. I’m an avid road cyclist and a car enthusiast, biking the streets of northern Connecticut and cruising with my wife in our classic Corvette. I also enjoy hiking with my dog, playing acoustic guitar, listening to music, and reading.”

Brendan is a frequent speaker on the topics of elder law and estate planning for professional organizations, including the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants; Connecticut Bar Association; and the Connecticut and Massachusetts Chapters of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. He is a continuing education instructor, teaching courses on estate and Medicaid planning in many towns throughout Hartford County.

What He Does

  • Estate planning
  • Elder law
  • Special needs & disability planning
  • Tax planning
  • Estate administration

Other Impressive Things

Sought-after Speaker

Because of his extensive knowledge of elder law, estate planning, legal trends and changes in legislation, Brendan speaks regularly before professional organizations including:

  • National Business Institute
  • Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants
  • Connecticut and Massachusetts Chapters of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
  • Hartford County Bar Association
  • Association of Long Term Care Financial Managers
  • Connecticut Estate Planning and Business Council
  • American College of Health Care Administrators
  • Connecticut Bar Association

He conducts seminars at area senior centers, nursing homes, civic and charitable groups regarding long-term care issues and estate planning.

Writer

Brendan has written numerous articles regarding estate planning, Medicaid and long term care, which have appeared in professional journals and newspapers.

Professional Affiliations

  • Executive Committee member of the Elder Law section of the Connecticut Bar Association
  • Estates and Probate section member of the Connecticut Bar Association
  • Member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
  • Past President and Board member of the Connecticut Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (CTNAELA)
Client Reviews
★★★★★
“I cannot find the words to thank all of you properly for your hard work and perseverance. It is a great relief to have gotten a just and proper ruling from the court. All of you have shown great professionalism and concern for the issues I brought before you.” J.G., Greensboro, GA
★★★★★
“All dealings have been excellent. Very professional organization. Great explanations of our options related to preparing a will. Clear, concise, great guidance and not trying to "sell us" on something we do not need. Administrative folks were super. All of our related paperwork was clearly tagged with what we needed to provide/sign/read /etc. Made things easy. Nice work.” L.G., Berlin, CT
★★★★★
“We loved working with your firm and really trust the advice. You have a well-deserved reputation and it was nice to check off a number of things that had been on our To-Do list. Although it's hard to make the time to take care of some of these matters, it is a great relief when you do so. I would definitely recommend your firm to anyone in need of the services that you provide.” L.M., Simsbury, CT
★★★★★
Everyone at the firm were consummate professionals. We felt completely comfortable with their guidance and were impressed by their compassion and commitment to us. R.H., Canton, CT
★★★★★
The attorney who served us was kind, thorough, and very responsive. He pointed out some issues in my mother's documents that could have been problematic down the road. After my mother passed, everything was as seamless as possible - a true gift at a time when life and death decisions were being made and emotions were overwhelming. J.B., Cromwell, CT
★★★★★
Great service, was on top of everything. I'm glad they were there to help us though a tough time. J.M., Farmington, CT
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