Find an Ohio NAELA Attorney

Scott Engstrom, Esq., is Corporate Counsel and COO of Krause Financial.

Scott has been a part of the company since 2019. He began as Corporate Counsel before taking on the role of Chief Operating Officer. In his dual role, Scott wears several hats. As COO, he works closely with department heads and other team members, serving as a liaison to the executive team. His main priorities are to maintain smooth company operations and ensure services provided by outside groups are administered effectively and efficiently. As Corporate Counsel, Scott conducts legal research, drafts agreements, and provides support to other departments as needed. Whenever a problem arises, whether it relates to litigation, risk management, or compliance, Scott does what he can to resolve matters for everyone involved. He always aims to facilitate effective and clear communication and fill in the blanks when necessary to avoid misunderstandings.

Scott earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Minnesota and his Juris Doctor degree from Penn State Law. He has previous experience as a litigation attorney and judicial law clerk, which have enabled him to see issues before they arise. He is able to use this experience in the corporate context in order to anticipate, avoid, and mitigate any issues before they end up in a courtroom. His training as a lawyer has sharpened his oral and written communication skills as well as his ability to analyze complex problems quickly. Scott has law licenses in Wisconsin and Maryland (inactive).

When working in private practice, Scott drafted basic estate planning documents, such as wills and POAs, and litigated probate matters. This experience served as a solid foundation that prepared Scott to cement his industry knowledge at Krause. He sees a great need for elder law and appreciates the opportunity to help connect those in need to those who can help. Scott truly values being able to provide solutions that help people with limited means avoid depleting their life savings on a few years of long-term care.

Scott is passionate about helping the entire team perform at a high level and feel their best. When the company is running efficiently, he believes staff will be able to see the fruits of their labor more clearly and feel more fulfilled. Scott’s goal each day is to have a positive impact on the internal processes of the company. In doing so, he is able to utilize his communication and analytical skills as well as his compassion for others. Teamwork, empathy, accountability, candor, and honesty are just a few of the values that drive Scott in his job. He is incredibly grateful to have positive working relationships with the management team, even when changes present more of a challenge, and he is always looking for ways to show appreciation to the entire team.

In his free time, Scott enjoys playing, watching, and coaching hockey. He also likes to read, listen to podcasts, and go to the gym. Scott is married to his wife, Jamie, and they have a wonderful dog named Bartlet.

I want to work with you to assist you with your estate planning, special needs planning, and elder law needs. I offer many comprehensive packages to ensure that your family is on the right path.  Whether you may be looking for assistance with:

• Long term care cost planning (Medicaid/VA Planning),
• Special needs planning,
• Guardianship work,
• or Probate work I am here for you.

I also prepare estate planning documents including

• Last Will & Testament
• Trusts (Revocable or Asset Protection), or
• Power of attorney documents.

Let me help you figure out what your best next steps are.  The sooner you have a plan of action, the better prepared you are for a secure tomorrow!

Practice limited to persons needing help to prevent or solve problems relating to aging, disability, or special needs:
*Retirement & retirement housing planning.
*Nursing homes.
*Obtaining and paying for long-term care while maximizing quality of life.
*Medicaid.
*Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
*Medicare.
*Medigap & long-term care insurance.
*Wills.
*Living trusts & special needs trusts.
*Financial & health care powers of attorney.
*Living wills & end-of-life decision-making.
*Decision-making capacity.
*Guardianship.
*Elder abuse.
*Planning for child with disabilities turning 18.
*Planning for child with disabilities when parents no longer available.
*Ohio STABLE accounts.
*Personal injury settlements.

Statement on Practice by Attorney

My role is to prevent and solve the legal problems of older persons and persons with disabilities or special needs so as to maximize their independence and quality of life and to ensure that they receive any help or care they may need.

What I love about my practice is that it is intensely personal, a one-on-one relationship with my client and my client's family to maximize my client's independence and quality of life and to ensure that my client receives the help or care he or she needs. If you call my office, you talk with me and no one else.

My key accomplishment is meeting my client's needs. In addition, I chaired the Professionalism and Ethics Committee of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys during the drafting of both the First and the Second editions of the Aspirational Standards for the Practice of Elder Law and Special Needs Law.

I went to law school because I wanted to make a difference in people's lives. My practice has allowed me to do that in numerous areas of the law: long-term care, retirement planning, estate planning, special needs trusts, Medicaid, Medicare, SSI, etc.

I am totally dedicated to meeting the needs of my clients. To do so, I in 1995 was certified as an Elder Law Attorney in the first class of 29 attorneys from across the country to be certified. I also became accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs, served as President of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, and chaired the Elder Law committees of the Ohio State Bar Association and the Cincinnati Bar Association.

The biggest change in law during my 43 years as an attorney has been how complicated and specialized it has become. That is why I limit my practice to persons who need help to prevent or solve problems relating to aging, disability, or special needs and why I became certified by the Ohio State Bar Association and the National Elder Law Foundation to do so.

An associate with Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths & Dougherty Co. L.P.A.,  Danielle Halachoff Frye concentrates her practice in the area of estate planning, including the creation and administration of trusts, drafting of wills, powers of attorney, and other estate planning documents, probate administration, and planning for elders.

Olivia G.A. Goodwin

Olivia G.A. Goodwin is an attorney practicing with the Sydney offices of Durnell Maier Law, LLC.

She obtained her undergraduate degrees in Political Science and Psychology from Bethany College in Bethany, WV, graduating first in her class, with Summa Cum Laude honors, before receiving her Juris Doctorate from Dayton University.

Founded by Elizabeth Durnell-Maier, a Certified Elder Law Attorney, Durnell Maier Law, LLC is dedicated to advising clients on a wide range of elder law matters. This includes assisting seniors and their families with avoiding probate, minimizing taxes, protecting assets from nursing homes and more.