Top planning for children with special needs financial advisors in Walnut Creek, 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 supports or underestimate future costs.
- Government benefits navigation. Confirm how they help you coordinate Social Security, Medicaid, and other programs to maximize your child's support.
- Special needs trusts. Ask about trust options that protect your child's eligibility for public benefits while providing financial flexibility.
- Long-term care planning. Ensure they consider housing, healthcare, and daily living expenses that evolve as your child ages.
- Family involvement. Look for advisors who engage with your family to align financial plans with your child's unique needs and your caregiving goals.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
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Elena C
Series 66
Walnut Creek, CA
Wells Fargo Advisors
Elena Carolan specializes in planning for children with special needs and offers expertise in divorce financial planning and business exit strategies, which can be crucial for comprehensive family financial planning. Based in Walnut Creek, she works with Wells Fargo Advisors, a large firm serving high-net-worth clients, providing access to extensive research and planning tools that may benefit families seeking tailored financial solutions.
Experience: 3 years
Avg account: $514,335
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Laura C
CFP®
Sausalito, CA
Balanced Financial Advisors
Laura Chernov specializes in planning for children with special needs and brings 20 years of experience as a CFP® professional based in Sausalito, CA. She leads Balanced Financial Advisors, which serves high-net-worth clients with a focus on portfolio management using Modern Portfolio Theory and offers flexible fee options including AUM and hourly rates, distinguishing her from other advisors in Walnut Creek.
Experience: 20 years
Avg account: $1,872,011
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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 complex financial needs in Walnut Creek, CA. 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, distinguishing him through seasoned expertise and a comprehensive approach.
Experience: 42 years
Avg account: $860,085
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Paul M
Series 66
Walnut Creek, CA
Wells Fargo Clearing
Paul Meyer specializes in planning for children with special needs and serves high-net-worth clients in Walnut Creek, CA, leveraging his background in education to understand family dynamics. Affiliated with a large firm offering flat-fee and asset-based pricing, he provides access to comprehensive wealth management and retirement planning services, distinguishing him from advisors with narrower focuses or smaller client bases.
Experience: 1 year
Avg account: $475,575
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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 Alamo, CA, he is part of Edward Jones, a large firm with over 23,700 advisors, offering a comprehensive wealth management approach and a fee structure up to 1.35% annually, which may suit clients seeking broad resources alongside specialized care.
Experience: 1 year
Avg account: $246,728
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