Seasoned, planning for children with special needs financial advisors in Columbia, MD
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 long-term financial security is crucial, especially when considering state estate and inheritance taxes. Without careful planning, you risk leaving your child without adequate support or exposing their benefits to unnecessary taxation. Seasoned advisors bring decades of experience navigating these complex issues, helping you build a sustainable plan.
- Government benefits integration. Confirm how they coordinate your child's financial plan with eligibility for programs like Medicaid or SSI to avoid disqualification.
- Special needs trust expertise. Ask about their experience setting up trusts that protect assets while maintaining benefit eligibility.
- Estate and inheritance tax planning. Since Maryland has both taxes, ensure they understand strategies to minimize your child's tax burden.
- Long-term care considerations. Discuss how they plan for your child's care needs as they age, including potential guardianship and support structures.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
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Steven B
Series 63, Series 65
Essex, MD
G. A. Repple & Company
Steven Baker offers seasoned expertise in planning for children with special needs, backed by 28 years of experience and credentials including Series 63 and 65. Based in Essex, MD, his firm provides diverse investment approaches such as ETF-focused and Biblically-Responsible Investing, with flexible fee options including flat fees and asset management wrap fees, distinguishing him from other advisors in the Columbia area.
Experience: 28 years
Avg account: $217,968
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Matthew D
Series 66
Olney, MD
Wells Fargo Advisors
Matthew Davis brings 26 years of experience and specializes in planning for children with special needs, making him well-equipped to address complex financial and estate planning challenges in Maryland. Operating from a large firm, Wells Fargo Advisors, he serves high-net-worth clients and offers comprehensive services including wealth-transfer and risk planning, distinguishing him from advisors focused on smaller client bases or narrower specialties.
Experience: 26 years
Avg account: $514,335
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Elizabeth S
Series 63, Series 65
Washington, DC
Merrill
Elizabeth Shepard's extensive 43 years of experience and focus on planning for children with special needs make her well-equipped to address complex financial and estate planning challenges in the Columbia, MD area. As a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill, a large firm, she offers expertise in wealth management, charitable giving, and retirement income strategy, with a fee structure of 1.10% AUM for managed strategies under $2 million, distinguishing her from other advisors by combining seasoned insight with a broad service offering.
Experience: 44 years
Avg account: $860,085
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