Brendan, one of Connecticut’s top elder law attorneys, (according to Super Lawyers Magazine) has preserved his clients’ estates by crafting plans to protect their money as they age and face the prospect of long-term care. Brendan, with his gentle manner, will explain in plain English, how you can protect your assets while receiving public benefits.
With his extensive experience and thorough understanding of the Medicaid eligibility rules and regulations, Brendan can help you get Medicaid benefits so you are able to preserve the money you’ve worked so hard for. And because of his success in many appeals of Medicaid cases, he will fight to get you benefits even if you’ve already been denied. Brendan’s expertise in estate planning includes customizing planning strategies that allow you to build wealth, saving on taxes and protecting the people who depend on you for support.
In addition, Brendan also can help families with disability planning. If you’re a parent or guardian of a child with special needs, he will work hard to make sure that your child remain financially secure even when you’re no longer there to provide support. He can set up a special needs trust to protect your money for your child while retaining their eligibility for benefit programs.
Don’t be fooled by Brendan’s laid back style. He will fight tooth and nail to protect you from losing your money to long term care. In 2012, Brendan prevailed in a case that had a significant impact on Connecticut law. He represented a woman whose husband was in a nursing facility. Medicaid considered her husband ineligible for benefits due to the income she received from an annuity. Brendan brought the case to federal district court and fought to keep the state from counting annuities as an income source for Medicaid eligibility.
His landmark case (Lopes v. DSS), a victory, resulted in the husband receiving Medicaid benefits and the wife keeping the annuity income for her own living expenses. The court’s far-reaching verdict now makes it possible for many Connecticut senior married couples to purchase annuities as an asset protection strategy.
Even though Brendan is at his desk before dawn, he does enjoy a full life outside of work in Simsbury, where he lives with his wife and two young children. When he has time for himself, he likes to hike, bike and play the blues on his guitar.
Practice areas
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
CT | Active | 1998 | 06/16/2022 |
Legal answers | 1 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Connecticut Super Lawyer - Elder Law | Connecticut Super Lawyers | 2020 |
Super Lawyer | SuperLawyers | 2019 |
Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers | 2018 |
Super Lawyer | SuperLawyers | 2017 |
Super Lawyer | SuperLawyers | 2016 |
Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers Magazine | 2015 |
Super Lawyer | SuperLawyers | 2014 |
Connecticut Magazine | Top Lawyer | 2014 |
Super Lawyer | New England Super Lawyers | 2014 |
Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers Magazine | 2013 |
Outstanding Chapter Member | National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Connecticut chapter | 2013 |
Top Lawyer | Connecticut Magazine | 2013 |
Top Lawyer | Connecticut Magazine | 2012 |
Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers Magazine | 2012 |
Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers Magazine | 2011 |
Certified Elder Law Attorney | National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys | 2008 |
Outstanding Legal Scholarship | Quinnipiac University School of Law | 1997 |
Distinguished Academic Achievement | Quinnipiac University School of Law | 1997 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Principal/Managing Partner | Czepiga Daly Pope & Perri | 2000 - Present |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Connecticut Bar Association, Elder Law Section | Steering Committee Member | 2013 - Present |
National Care Planning Council | Member | 2009 - Present |
National Elder Law Foundation | Certified Elder Law Attorney | 2008 - Present |
Connecticut Bar Association, Elder Law Section | Executive Committee | 2007 - Present |
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (Connecticut Chapter) | Member | 2007 - Present |
Hartford Hospital | Corporator | 2003 - Present |
Connecticut Bar Association, Estates & Probate Section | Member | 2000 - Present |
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys | Member | 2000 - Present |
Connecticut Bar Association, Elder Law Section | Member | 2000 - Present |
Connecticut Bar Association | Member | 1998 - Present |
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (Connecticut chapter) | Immediate Past President | 2013 - 2014 |
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (Connecticut chapter) | President | 2012 - 2013 |
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (Connecticut chapter) | President-Elect | 2011 - 2012 |
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (Connecticut chapter) | Board Member | 2010 - 2014 |
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (Connecticut chapter) | Vice President | 2010 - 2011 |
Jefferson House | Advisory Committee Member | 2003 - 2009 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Czepiga Daly Pope & Perri Smart Planner Blog | How My Dad’s Early Discharge From Rehab Taught Me a Lesson | 2020 |
Czepiga Daly Pope & Perri Smart Planner Blog | Governor Malloy Cuts Benefits to Low-Income Seniors and People with Disabilities | 2017 |
Czepiga Daly Pope & Perri Smart Planner Blog | The Scoop on Medicaid Block Grants | 2017 |
Connecticut Bar Journal | Recent Developments in Elder Law | 2017 |
CT-NAELA Practice Update | The Languishing Fair Hearing Decision: A Case for Injunctive Relief in Federal Court | 2014 |
CTNAELA Practice Update, Volume 5, Issue 1 | Avoiding the Institutional Bias: Why Connecticut Senate Bill #174 Levels the Playing Field for Connecticut Home Care Program Clients | 2014 |
The Connecticut Lawyer | The Use of Spousal Immediate Annuities in Connecticut: The Aftermath of Lopes v. Starkowski | 2012 |
The Connecticut Lawyer | Second Circuit Court of Appeals Affirms Lopes v. Starkowski | 2012 |
CT NAELA Practice Update Vol. 1, Issue 3 | The Penalty for Staying Home: The DSS Asset Transfer Policy under UPM Sec. 3029.05E | 2011 |
CT NAELA Practice Update, Vol. 1, Issue 1 | The Use of Immediate Annuities in Lopes v. Starkowski | 2010 |
Northeast Elder Law Symposium | Identifying Issues for Federal Medicaid Litigation | 2010 |
National Business Institute | Understanding Medicare and Medicaid: Coverage, Eligibility Requirements and Qualification Process Overview | 2009 |
National Business Institute | Medicare Benefits: Eligibility Criteria and Enrollment | 2008 |
Berlin Citizen | The Power in a Power of Attorney | N/A |
New Britain Herald | Probate vs. Trusts | N/A |
Berrlin Citizen | Revocable Trust Mechanics | N/A |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Hartwick College | BA - Bachelor of Arts | N/A |
Quinnipiac University School of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | N/A |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Spring Caregiver Series - CT Alzheimer's Association | Financial & Legal Planning | 2019 |
Middlesex MILE Adult Education | Estate Planning and Long Term Care | 2019 |
Dementia Diagnosis: What to do next? | Financial & Legal Planning | 2019 |
CT NAELA Spring Seminar | Single Premium Immediate Annuities | 2019 |
Senior Living Seminar | Planning for Long-Term Care: Understaning Medicaid and how to protect your assets | 2018 |
Professional Breakfast Meeting | What you need to know about Living Trusts and Probate Avoidance | 2018 |
Financial Planning Association of CT State Conference | Medicaid Case Law Update | 2018 |
Better Connecticut TV show | Who can help me apply for Medicaid in Connecticut | 2018 |
Senior Living Seminar | Planning for Long-Term Care: Understanding Medicaid and protecting your assets | 2017 |
Senior Living Seminar | Estate Planning: Don't Make These Mistakes! | 2017 |
Medicaid Event for Professionals | Medicaid Rules Review | 2017 |
Connecticut Bar Association | Special Needs Trusts | 2017 |
Advanced Elder Law Symposium | Medicaid Annuities | 2017 |
Adult Caregiver Seminar | Money & Documents: Protect Yourself | 2017 |
Law Talk Radio Show | How to Protect Your Assets and More | 2016 |
Estate Planning Seminar | Protect Your Money (and Avoid Common Estate Planning Mistakes!) | 2016 |
Better Connecticut TV Show | You Can Get Paid to Care for Someone Living With You | 2016 |
Practice Points in Elder Law | Applying Bezzini to all Non-Testamentary Transfers: A New DSS Policy? (including practical Will drafting and beneficiary designation drafting options) | 2014 |
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (Connecticut chapter) | Flawed Logic: The Application of Bezzini v. Department of Social Services to all Non-Testamentary Transfers | 2014 |
Housing Options for the Elderly | Nursing Home Facilities and Funding | 2013 |
Financial Planners Association of Connecticut | Annuities as Asset Protection Tools: A Medicaid Planning Strategy | 2013 |
Connecticut Estate and Tax Planning Council | Medicaid Spousal Annuities | 2013 |
Ashlar Village at Masonicare Senior Services | Medicaid: What's it All About? | 2013 |
Connecticut Bar Association, Elder Law Section | Lopes: An Appellate Court Update | 2012 |
National Business Institute | Medicaid Update 2011 | 2011 |
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (Connecticut chapter) | Spousal Refusal Update in CT | 2011 |
Essential and Practical Elder Law Updates | Federal Litigation Update | 2011 |
Northeast Elder Law Symposium | Federal Court Litigation | 2010 |
Estate Planning and Recovery for Elderly Clients | Estate Planning | 2010 |
CT Chapter of Certified Public Accountants | Elder Care | 2010 |
Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants | Medicaid Update | 2010 |
What Every Attorney Needs to Know about Public Benefits | Medicaid Coverage, Eligibility Requirements and Process Overview | 2009 |
Top Estate Planning Techniques | Special Needs Trusts | 2009 |
Should I give my home to my kids? | Elder Law | 2009 |
Should I give my home to my kids? | Elder Law | 2009 |
Nuts and Bolts of Estate Planning | Estate Planning | 2009 |
My Neighbor has a Living Trust, Should I? | Estate Planning | 2009 |
Gifting Options | Elder Law | 2009 |
Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants 360 Tax Forum | Protecting Assets for the Disabled or Elderly | 2009 |
State Tax Forum Conference of Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants | Protecting Assets for the Disabled or Elderly | 2008 |
Simsbury Senior Center | Medicaid Planning | 2008 |
Personal Financial Planning Conference of the Connecticut Society of Certified Accountants | Protecting Assets for the Disabled or Elderly | 2008 |
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (Connecticut chapter) | DRA Implementation Issues | 2008 |
Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security Update | Medicare Eligibility and Appeals | 2008 |
Manchester Community College | Special Needs Trusts | 2008 |
State Tax Forum Conference of Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants | Planning for Long Term Care: Alternatives to Impoverishment | 2007 |
Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants | Estate Planning | 2004 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Simsonsen v. Bremby | Afffirmed at Second Circuit Court of Appeals |
Lopes v. Starkowski, Second Circuit Court of Appeals Decision | Affirmed |
Gale v. Remby | |
Lopes v. Starkowski No. 3:10-cv-3072010, 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 81829 (D. Conn. August 11, 2010). | Motion for Summary Judgment granted |
Henry Weatherby, Elder law Attorney on Jul 10, 2013
Relationship: Friend
I have had the opportunity on serve on the board of directors of the Connecticut Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorney with Brendan for several years now. He is an excellent attorney. More importantly he is a very nice smart person who genuinely cares about helping people.