Claudia Englisby

Why I chose elder law and estate planning.

Elder Law and Estate Planning cover a myriad of complex legal issues, and the primary forum for disputes is our Connecticut Probate Courts. When planning solutions are personalized and comprehensive, most disputes can be avoided. In order to have competency in this area of the law, I completed an additional degree after law school. This degree is known as a Master of Law in Estate Planning and Elder, aka, LL. M. This advanced degree provided the foundational legal planning skills necessary to craft progressive plans that expand beyond the traditional use of a special needs trust or generalized Medicaid planning strategies. My experience enables me to develop strategic financial restructuring that will help clients to preserve private assets while still obtaining necessary and timely care.

I learned the issue of competency many years ago when my family was impacted by tragedy at the infancy of my legal career. I was struck by grief and fear and worry when my mother-in-law suffered a catastrophic stroke in her early 60s, rendering her quadriplegic without the ability to speak or eat. My in-law family turned to me for guidance. We had an emergent need to access immediate care and long-term supports for my mother-in-law. My legal practice was focused on another discipline which seemed miles apart from elder law and estate planning. I felt helpless and yet I was burdened by my inability to solve the legal questions I have now mastered. This was such a time of turmoil for my family.

Through this family crisis, I committed to dedicate my life’s work to assisting elders and individuals with disabilities in planning for life’s major transitions—both expected and unexpected. Before refocusing my practice, I assisted in my mother-in-law’s care for several years and, thereafter, cared for my aging father-in-law, too. I was stuck in the center of the “sandwiched generation,” taking care of aging parents while raising my young daughter.

My experience is your secret weapon.

After a short hiatus, prior to returning to practicing law, I use those caregiving years to my advantage by being able to connect deeply with my clients’ fears of losing independence or having financial security at risk because of illness or disability.

My team and I have created a space where clients are welcomed with warmth and concern. I have vast legal knowledge and personal experiences which are used to implement a modern and holistic approach to our work in disability planning, elder law issues, and estate and probate matters. I naturally share a deep appreciation and empathy for the daunting daily challenges that family caregivers must face and overcome. In preparing legal plans for clients, my work is often peppered with a family’s personal dynamics, which promotes understanding and support for my clients. My goal is to help pave the path to a new normal for the present day and the days ahead. We go a step further than merely preparing paperwork for special needs trusts and instead work to create an entire disability plan for our clients.

Community and Contributions to the Profession

Claudia is a member of the Executive Committee of the Elder Law Section of the Connecticut Bar Association where she has served as a Co-Chair of the Continuing Legal Education Committee and Chair for the Diversity Committee. She is a member of the National Association of Elder Law Attorneys at the state and national level, the Academy of Special Needs Planners, and the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association, and Co-Chair of Continuing Legal Education for the Elder Law and Estate Planning sections of the Hartford County Bar Association. She has served on the Board of Directors for HARC, Inc. and The Brain Injury Alliance of Connecticut, MS-Go.com. She has recently been introduced to an organization, For All Ages, whose mission is to combat loneliness. She and her team will be volunteering to advance the message and purpose of this great organization.