Large-firm, 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.
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 elements like government benefits or long-term care costs, which can jeopardize your child's future.
- Government benefits navigation. Confirm how the advisor helps coordinate your child's eligibility for programs like Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income.
- Special needs trusts. Ask about their experience setting up trusts that protect your child's assets without affecting benefit eligibility.
- Education and therapy funding. Inquire how they plan for ongoing costs that standard education savings plans might not cover.
- Coordination with medical and legal professionals. Ensure they work alongside your child's care team to align financial plans with evolving needs.
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 at Merrill in Westlake Village offers expertise in planning for children with special needs, integrating wealth management with estate and trust planning to address long-term care and government benefits. Her background includes seven years of experience, a Series 66 designation, and a behavioral finance approach, distinguishing her within a large firm setting and serving women professionals and business owners.
Experience: 8 years
Avg account: $860,085
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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 operates within Edward Jones, a large firm known for comprehensive wealth management and a broad advisory network. With seven years of experience and Series 63 and 66 designations, he offers an AUM-based fee structure up to 1.35% annually, serving clients from Valencia, CA, and focusing on intergenerational families and business owners.
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 make him well-equipped to address complex financial needs in Thousand Oaks, CA. Affiliated with Wells Fargo Advisors, a large firm offering diverse compensation options and comprehensive planning tools, he also serves high-net-worth clients and brings expertise in divorce financial planning and business exit strategies, distinguishing him from other advisors.
Experience: 36 years
Avg account: $514,335
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