Large-firm, planning for children with special needs financial advisors in California
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 your child has special needs, planning for their lifelong care and financial security becomes a priority that goes beyond typical family planning. Without focused expertise, advisors might overlook critical supports like government benefits or long-term care trusts that protect your child's future.
- Government benefits navigation. Confirm how the advisor helps you understand and preserve eligibility for programs like Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income.
- Special needs trust guidance. Ask about their experience setting up trusts that safeguard assets without disqualifying benefits.
- Education and therapy funding. Look for advisors who integrate planning for specialized schooling and therapies into your financial roadmap.
- Coordination with care teams. Effective advisors collaborate with healthcare and legal professionals to align financial plans with your child's evolving needs.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
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Brandon S
CFP®, Series 63, Series 65
Fresno, CA
Wells Fargo Advisors
Brandon Schwartz's 24 years of experience and CFP® certification equip him to address the complex financial planning needs of families with children who have special needs, including navigating government benefits and special needs trusts. Based in Fresno, CA, he operates within Wells Fargo Advisors, a large firm offering comprehensive services to high-net-worth clients, which may provide access to extensive resources and research tools compared to smaller firms.
Experience: 25 years
Avg account: $514,335
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Derick R
Series 66
Tustin, CA
Edward Jones
Derick Roberts specializes in planning for children with special needs, leveraging Edward Jones' extensive resources to address complex needs like government benefits and special needs trusts. With eight years of industry experience and a Series 66 license, he offers a comprehensive approach within a large firm managing over $1 trillion in assets, providing access to proprietary mutual funds and trust services that differentiate him from smaller firms or independent advisors.
Experience: 9 years
Avg account: $246,728
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Donovan F
Series 66
Carlsbad, CA
Merrill
Donovan Filpi specializes in planning for children with special needs within a large firm setting, offering expertise in wealth management, cash flow budgeting, and elder care planning. His concierge-style service includes collaboration with attorneys and tax advisors, and he is a partner of Merrill's Special Needs Team, focusing on long-term well-being. With 20 years of experience and credentials like Series 66, he serves mid-career professionals and HENRY clients in California, providing tailored, values-based investment strategies.
Experience: 20 years
Avg account: $860,085
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Paul M
Series 66
Walnut Creek, CA
Wells Fargo Clearing
Paul Meyer specializes in planning for children with special needs, leveraging his background in education and a Series 66 designation to address unique family financial challenges. Affiliated with Edward Jones, a large firm managing over $1 trillion in assets, he offers flat-fee and asset-based fee structures, serving high-net-worth clients in Walnut Creek, CA, which may provide a broader range of resources compared to smaller firms.
Experience: 1 year
Avg account: $475,575
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