Large-firm, planning for children with special needs financial advisors in San Diego, 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 lifelong care and financial security becomes a priority. Without focused expertise, advisors might overlook critical benefits or support programs that can affect your family's future.
- Government benefits navigation. Confirm how they help integrate Social Security, Medicaid, and other programs into your financial plan.
- Trust and guardianship guidance. Ask about their experience setting up special needs trusts and legal protections tailored to your child's situation.
- Education and therapy funding. Explore how they plan for ongoing costs like specialized schooling and therapies, which can vary widely.
- Coordination with medical professionals. Effective planning often requires collaboration with your child's healthcare team to anticipate future needs.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
-
Donovan F
Series 66
Carlsbad, CA
Merrill
Donovan Filpi offers expertise in planning for children with special needs through his role at Merrill, a large firm known for comprehensive wealth management and socially responsible investing. With 20 years of experience and credentials like CFP and ChSNC, he supports parents by integrating special needs trusts and coordinating with medical professionals, distinguishing him from other advisors in the San Diego area.
Experience: 20 years
Avg account: $860,085
-
Todd S
Series 66
San Diego, CA
Wells Fargo Advisors
Todd Schneider specializes in planning for children with special needs and operates within Wells Fargo Advisors, a large firm known for retirement plan consulting and modern portfolio theory-based investment solutions. With four years of experience and a Series 66 designation, he also brings unique insight from his role as co-trustee for multiple trusts, which may benefit families seeking comprehensive trust and guardianship guidance.
Experience: 4 years
Avg account: $514,335
-
Diana C
Series 63, Series 66
La Mesa, CA
Edward Jones
Diana Canales specializes in planning for children with special needs and brings 12 years of experience from a large firm, Edward Jones, which manages over $1 trillion in assets. Her background includes expertise in divorce financial planning and estate guidance, with a focus on Hispanic/Latino clients, and she offers advisory programs with fees up to 1.35% annually, distinguishing her from other advisors in the San Diego area.
Experience: 12 years
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 San Diego, CA
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”)