Top planning for children with special needs financial advisors in Berkeley, CA
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.
If you have a child with special needs, planning for their financial future is crucial to ensure ongoing care and support. Without careful planning, you might overlook how government benefits and trusts interact, which can jeopardize eligibility or funding.
- Government benefits navigation. Confirm how the advisor balances your child's needs with programs like SSI or Medicaid to avoid disqualifying benefits.
- Special needs trust expertise. Ask about trust options that protect assets while providing for your child's long-term care.
- Estate planning integration. Ensure the advisor coordinates special needs plans with your overall estate strategy to secure your family's financial legacy.
- Education and advocacy support. Look for advisors who understand educational resources and legal rights that impact your child's quality of life.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
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Daniel C
Series 63, Series 65
San Francisco, CA
Merrill
Daniel Cutter specializes in planning for children with special needs, leveraging 26 years of experience at Merrill, a large firm known for comprehensive wealth management. He co-developed Merrill's Special Needs Team, focusing on budgeting, wealth planning, and investment management tailored to families facing complex legal and financial challenges. His background includes expertise in socially responsible investing and legacy planning, distinguishing him from other advisors in Berkeley, CA.
Experience: 26 years
Avg account: $860,085
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Laura C
CFP®
Sausalito, CA
Balanced Financial Advisors
Laura Chernov specializes in planning for children with special needs and brings 20 years of experience as a CFP® professional. Based in Sausalito, her firm uses Modern Portfolio Theory for portfolio management and serves high-net-worth clients with a 1% annual AUM fee, differentiating her through a blend of specialized financial planning and investment advisory services.
Experience: 20 years
Avg account: $1,872,011
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Nirmal R
CFP®, Series 66
Alameda, CA
Edward Jones
Nirmal Rout offers expertise in planning for children with special needs, backed by 19 years of industry experience and CFP® certification, making him well-equipped to navigate complex financial and government benefit interactions. Operating from Edward Jones, a large full-service wealth management firm, he provides a broad range of advisory programs with an annual fee up to 1.35%, serving diverse clients including executives and business owners in the Berkeley area.
Experience: 19 years
Avg account: $246,728
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Paul M
Series 66
Walnut Creek, CA
Wells Fargo Clearing
Paul Meyer specializes in planning for children with special needs and brings a unique perspective from his prior education career, which may help in understanding client needs in Berkeley, CA. He operates within a large firm offering flat-fee structures and serves high-net-worth clients, providing access to extensive wealth management resources and a broad range of advisory programs.
Experience: 1 year
Avg account: $475,575
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Justin P
CFP®, Series 66
Orinda, CA
Wells Fargo Advisors
Justin Pribilovics specializes in planning for children with special needs and brings 10 years of experience as a CFP®-certified advisor at Wells Fargo Advisors, a large firm serving high-net-worth clients. His background includes business ownership and expertise in cash flow and divorce financial planning, offering a broad range of tailored financial strategies beyond special needs planning.
Experience: 11 years
Avg account: $514,335
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