Seasoned, planning for children with special needs financial advisors in Santa Monica, 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.
Planning for children with special needs often means preparing for lifelong care and financial security beyond typical childhood expenses. Without focused expertise, advisors might overlook critical government benefits or the unique costs that arise over time.
- Government benefits navigation. Confirm how they integrate Social Security, Medicaid, and other programs into your plan to avoid disqualifying your child.
- Trust and guardianship planning. Ask about setting up special needs trusts and legal guardianships tailored to your child's future needs.
- Long-term cost forecasting. Look for advisors who model ongoing care, therapies, and housing expenses, not just immediate costs.
- Coordination with specialists. Ensure they collaborate with healthcare providers and educators to align financial plans with your child's evolving support requirements.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
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Nicholas C
Series 63, Series 65
Beverly Hills, CA
Merrill
Nicholas Childers brings 42 years of experience in planning for children with special needs, offering expertise in wealth management, estate planning, and Social Security optimization. Based in nearby Beverly Hills and affiliated with Merrill, a large firm, he provides personalized strategies with a 1.10% AUM fee, catering to executives and business owners, which may suit clients seeking seasoned guidance with comprehensive financial services.
Experience: 43 years
Avg account: $860,085
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John L
Series 63, Series 65
Los Angeles, CA
Wells Fargo Advisors
John Lawrence III specializes in planning for children with special needs and brings 31 years of experience, supported by his Series 63 and 65 credentials. Operating from a large firm, Wells Fargo Advisors, he serves high-net-worth clients and offers comprehensive financial planning with proprietary research and personalized service, distinguishing him from advisors with smaller practices or less extensive resources.
Experience: 31 years
Avg account: $514,335
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Arthur K
ChFC®, Series 63
Santa Monica, CA
Capital Intelligence Advisors, Inc.
Arthur Kraus brings over 53 years of experience to planning for children with special needs in Santa Monica, offering expertise in charitable giving and independent advice through Capital Intelligence Advisors. His firm provides written financial plans and ongoing engagements with flexible hourly and monthly fees, distinguishing him from others by focusing on comprehensive planning without managing client assets directly.
Experience: 53 years
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