Top planning for children with special needs financial advisors in Thousand Oaks, 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.
If you have a child with special needs, planning for their financial future involves more than just saving money—it requires understanding how benefits, government programs, and trusts interact. Without specialized knowledge, you might miss key protections or create plans that unintentionally reduce your child's eligibility for essential support.
- Government benefits navigation. Confirm how the advisor helps maintain your child's access to programs like Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income while planning finances.
- Special needs trusts. Ask about their experience setting up trusts that protect assets without disqualifying benefits.
- Long-term care planning. Ensure they consider future care costs and how to fund them sustainably.
- Family involvement. Check how they coordinate plans with family members who may share caregiving or financial responsibilities.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
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Melissa S
Series 66
Westlake Village, CA
Merrill
Melissa Shapiro specializes in planning for children with special needs, offering expertise in wealth management and estate planning from her role at Merrill, a large firm. With seven years of experience and a Series 66 designation, she integrates behavioral finance principles to help families navigate complex financial decisions. Located near Thousand Oaks in Westlake Village, she also serves women professionals and business owners, providing a comprehensive approach including trust and long-term strategy planning.
Experience: 8 years
Avg account: $860,085
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Mitchell K
CFP®, Series 63
Santa Monica, CA
Capital Intelligence Advisors, Inc.
Mitchell Kraus specializes in planning for children with special needs, bringing 32 years of experience and CFP® certification to navigate complex financial and government benefit interactions. Based in Santa Monica, his firm emphasizes written financial plans and offers flexible hourly or monthly fees, distinguishing him from others by focusing on comprehensive planning without managing client assets directly.
Experience: 32 years
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Nicolas C
Series 63, Series 66
Valencia, CA
Edward Jones
Nicolas Cardenas specializes in planning for children with special needs and brings seven years of experience from a large firm, Edward Jones, known for its extensive resources and nationwide network. Located in nearby Valencia, CA, he also focuses on retirement income strategy and serves intergenerational Hispanic/Latino families, offering a comprehensive approach with a program fee up to 1.35% annually.
Experience: 8 years
Avg account: $246,728
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Robert H
Series 63, Series 65
Westlake Village, CA
Wells Fargo Advisors
Robert Hutten's 36 years of experience and focus on planning for children with special needs equip him to navigate complex financial and government benefit interactions effectively. Based in Westlake Village, CA, he operates within Wells Fargo Advisors, a large firm offering diverse compensation options and comprehensive planning tools, serving high-net-worth clients and business owners, which may provide broader resources compared to smaller practices.
Experience: 36 years
Avg account: $514,335
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