The Special Needs Planning Process:
A Comprehensive Approach

This is the planning process that we use with our clients who have dependents with special needs. Recognizing that every family situation is unique, we have found through experience that this step-by-step approach works extremely well. Use this Checklist to see where you stand now.

Step 1: We work together with you to help identify and prioritize your family's objectives and goals.

Step 2: We analyze your present financial situation with respect to these goals by reviewing family resources, legal documents, investments, insurances and other related matters.

We determine if you are taking advantage of any and all government resources, if you are eligible.

Step 3: We recommend steps that seek to maximize and protect both personal and public resources.

Step 4: We assist you in objectively and securely implementing your plan. When needed, we actively associate with numerous private and public agencies, professionals, and service providers as part of our planning process.

Step 5: We periodically review and revise your plan as required by changes in personal circumstances and external environments. 

Next Step

We believe that you have read this far for a reason and we hope the above and the other resources on this site are useful to you. Should you have any questions or input for us, or personal experiences you would consider sharing with us, we would like very much to hear from you. We are working to expand this site over time and would welcome your input and suggestions.

If you wish, you are invited to contact us for an initial consultation. At that time we can, together, determine if our services will benefit you and your family. 

Consultation Services

Second Opinion Consultation by Phone

"Is everything being done properly?"

"How can I be sure my lawyer has covered all the details in the best way for my loved one?"

We hear these types of questions quite often. In response, we have decided to offer a Second Opinion Consultation by phone.

Perhaps you have an existing relationship with a financial planner or a lawyer (or both) with whom you are comfortable but they may not have experience necessary to address the needs of an individual with disabilities. If you would like to be sure that everything is being done appropriately, we suggest a Second Opinion Consultation.

A private Second Opinion Consultation by phone offers you a convenient and cost-effective option. If appropriate, we may initiate a conference call with you and/or your existing advisors. However, you may also wish to review your current plan with us privately. We can be creative in the ways we work together to address your concerns.

Properly addressing even a small detail can make a big difference to your, and your loved one's, future security. Taking advantage of the private consultation option is a very economical way to be sure that everything has been done right for your situation.

Call us,781-756-1804, to determine if this option is right for you. This initial contact is of course complimentary.

Comprehensive Planning

As the parent or caregiver of an individual with special needs, you have complicated and often conflicting financial goals. The task of allocating personal resources in a way that enables you to achieve your financial objectives requires an integrated plan.

We have outlined several different ways we can work together to develop a strategy that incorporates your personal goals, current assets and future savings.

We offer our services in three arrangements of fees:

1. Consultation on an hourly fee basis

2. Asset management* (fees based on a percentage of assets under management)
* Fee based asset management offered through LPL Financial

3. Flat fee for developing a comprehensive financial plan and recommended actions listed below. We offer two versions of this service:

Version 1 - Special Needs Planning Not Requiring Estate Tax Planning Strategies:

a. College education planning
b. Retirement needs analysis: company sponsored retirement plans and individual retirement accounts)
c. Residential and lifetime planning for individual with special needs, including government entitlements, purchase of the physical structure, costs of annual support, introduction to other professionals/agencies
d. Concerns involving the death and/or disability of a parent or caregiver: life insurance analysis and needs, ong term disability analysis and needs, coordinating beneficiary designations on insurance, retirement plans and annuities, long term care analysis and needs
e. Discussions with lawyer/accountant

Fee includes two meetings (two hours each) plus a written plan and recommendations. (see below)

Version 2 - Special Needs Planning Requiring Estate Tax Planning

Includes the above information plus:

f. Estate tax calculations
g. Balancing estate assets to coordinate with legal documents
h. Estate value and tax projections
i. Additional time coordinating with legal council, including an additional meeting if needed

Fee includes two meetings (two hours each)
plus a written plan and recommendations

Implementation: A written plan will be delivered and discussed in the second meeting. The client may need to take further actions to implement the recommended strategy; this may involve reallocating existing investments or the purchase of insurance and/or other financial products and services. The client may implement the recommendations independently or can elect to continue to work with us to implement the plan. This involves initial implementation and future consultations. Compensation for implementation services will be discussed at that time.

Please call or email to discuss further.

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