Top planning for children with special needs financial advisors in Livermore, 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.
When you have a child with special needs, planning for their long-term financial security is crucial, especially as you consider future care and support costs. A common mistake is overlooking how to structure funds to protect eligibility for government benefits.
- Government benefits knowledge. Confirm the advisor understands how to preserve your child's access to programs like Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income.
- Special needs trusts. Ask if they can help set up trusts that provide for your child without disqualifying them from benefits.
- Long-term care planning. Ensure they consider future housing, healthcare, and support services in their financial plans.
- Coordination with professionals. Check how they work with attorneys and care coordinators to align financial and legal strategies.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
-
Patrick C
Series 63, Series 65
Walnut Creek, CA
Merrill
Patrick Cronin's extensive 41 years of experience and specialization in planning for children with special needs make him well-equipped to address long-term financial security and government benefits preservation. As a Senior Vice President at Merrill, a large firm, he offers personalized wealth management and tax minimization strategies, serving parents and executives, with a 1.10% AUM fee for managed strategies under $2 million.
Experience: 42 years
Avg account: $860,085
-
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 enhance his understanding of family needs. Operating through a large firm with a flat-fee structure and serving high-net-worth clients, he offers wealth management and retirement planning services that complement his specialty, distinguishing him from advisors focused solely on special needs planning.
Experience: 1 year
Avg account: $475,575
-
Richard S
Series 63, Series 65
Pleasanton, CA
Wells Fargo Advisors
Richard Schacht's 38 years of experience and focus on planning for children with special needs equip him to address complex financial security and government benefits preservation. Operating from Wells Fargo Advisors, a large firm serving high-net-worth clients, he offers comprehensive planning tools and coordinates strategies for long-term care and trusts, distinguishing him from advisors with narrower scopes or smaller practices.
Experience: 38 years
Avg account: $514,335
-
Simon K
Series 66
Alamo, CA
Edward Jones
Simon Knight specializes in planning for children with special needs and general estate planning, supported by his prior decade of experience with Easter Seals Northern California/Catalight. Operating from Edward Jones, a large firm with over 23,700 advisors, he offers a comprehensive approach including business succession and retirement plans, with fees up to 1.35% annually, distinguishing him from local alternatives in Livermore, CA.
Experience: 1 year
Avg account: $246,728
Want help finding the right advisor?
Answer a few questions to see advisors matched to you.
Advisors focused on
People also searched
Popular in Livermore, CA
Find advisors by type
Not sure where to start?
We'll help you think it through—whether you ultimately need an advisor or not. Warmer helps you compare advisors clearly, so you can choose with confidence.
For advisor listings, we rely on sources including public filings and data provided by advisors, and we cannot guarantee that all information is current or accurate. Advisors are independent and may not have reviewed or updated this information. Please review an advisor’s Form ADV and do your own diligence before deciding whether to work with them.
Advisor matching and introductions are provided by FinanceHQ LLC (“FHQ”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Warmer and an SEC-registered investment advisor. We receive compensation from certain participating advisors for introductions or referrals. This creates a conflict of interest because we have an incentive to recommend advisors who compensate us, including those who pay us more. You pay no fee to use our matching service, and advisor fees are not increased because of a referral or introduction. We do not review the ongoing performance of advisors, manage or hold assets, guarantee performance, or provide advice about specific investments.
By using our service, you agree to our Terms of Service and Advisory Agreement, and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. Please review FHQ’s ADV Part 2A and Form CRS. Logos provided by Logo.dev
© 2026 Warmer Holdings Inc. (“Warmer”)