Large-firm, planning for children with special needs financial advisors in Auburn, WA
The right financial advisor for you depends on how you weigh location, expertise, experience, the clients they typically serve, and how they work with you.
When you have a child with special needs, planning for their lifelong care and financial security becomes a priority. Without focused expertise, advisors might overlook critical benefits or support programs that can affect your child's future.
- Benefit program knowledge. Confirm the advisor understands government benefits like Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income, which can impact your child's eligibility.
- Trust and guardianship planning. Ask how they approach setting up special needs trusts and legal guardianship to protect your child's assets and care.
- Education and therapy funding. Inquire about strategies to fund specialized education and therapies without jeopardizing benefits.
- Coordination with medical and legal professionals. Effective planning often requires collaboration; check how the advisor integrates with your child's care team.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
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Cathleen A
Series 63, Series 65
Bellevue, WA
Merrill
Cathleen Ackley, based in Bellevue, WA, specializes in planning for children with special needs within a large firm setting, offering expertise in special needs trusts and benefit program navigation. With 18 years of experience and credentials like ChFC and ChSNC, she also focuses on college savings and philanthropic planning, serving women professionals and executives, which distinguishes her comprehensive approach from others in the region.
Experience: 18 years
Avg account: $860,085
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Teressa G
Series 63, Series 65
Tacoma, WA
Wells Fargo Advisors
Teressa Grosklaus is equipped to assist with planning for children with special needs, leveraging her 34 years of experience and expertise in this specialty at Wells Fargo Advisors, a large firm known for its IPS-driven advisory process and modern portfolio theory approach. Located in Tacoma, WA, she also serves high-net-worth clients and brings additional expertise in divorce financial planning and business exit strategies, offering a broad perspective compared to other advisors nearby.
Experience: 35 years
Avg account: $514,335
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Cole F
Series 63, Series 66
Auburn, WA
Edward Jones
Cole Forde at Edward Jones in Auburn, WA, specializes in planning for children with special needs and college savings, supported by his Series 63 and 66 designations and three years of experience. Edward Jones, a large firm with over $1 trillion in assets, offers a broad range of advisory programs and serves diverse clients, which may provide more comprehensive resources compared to smaller firms.
Experience: 4 years
Avg account: $246,728
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