Living with autism is a full-time job for parents on a daily basis. Then one day your child turns 18 and it’s a whole different unfamiliar world of additional decisions, extra responsibilities, and added stress that you probably didn’t give much thought to when your child was younger. Finding a professional Special Needs Financial Planner may be the key solution to help give you direction, knowledge, and peace of mind that you are doing what is best for your child’s future. Keep in mind that your child’s future is going to be without you one day so you definitely want to avoid making mistakes that you can’t change after you are gone. It’s important to identity financial resources such as 401ks, inheritances, government benefits, insurance policies etc. Setting financial goals, funding a Special Needs Trust, legal planning, residential planning, estate planning, insurance policies and income tax preparation and filing are all part of the long term financial planning process that is needed for your young adult’s future. Getting assistance and being prepared is undoubtedly the best way to navigate through this whole process. The earlier parents can begin this process, the less overwhelming it will seem and the better prepared your young adult will be for his or her future.
Benefits of a Financial Strategy When Your Family Member Has a Special Need Description: Financial planning for a lifetime with this highly recommended organization.
Prosperity Life Planning Description: A not-for-profit corporation dedicated to teaching families of disabled children and adults ways to provide for a financially comfortable quality of life, while preserving eligibility for governmental entitlements, such as Medicaid and SSI.
Life Planning for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders Description: Why you need to develop a life plan for your son or daughter with autism.
Special Needs Financial Planning Description: This site offers comprehensive financial planning, trustee services, wealth management, and planning for the unexpected.
Penta Daily: Financial Planning for Autism Description: Dad and CEO of a wealth management service company gives his experience and ideas.
Planning Across The Spectrum Description: Special Needs Advisors provide advice on benefits, resources, potential obstacles and next steps to help families and individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities achieve their desired level(s) of independence.
Monarch Center for Autism: Financial Assistance and Tax Credits Description: Learn about financial assistance and tax credits for families with autism.
When You’re Gone: Practical Planning for Your Child’s Future Description: Creating a life care plan for your young adult with autism.
The Autism File: Taxing Matters Description: Deductions and tax rules and many other tips on doing your taxes for autism.
Some forums require you to sign in to Yahoo or Facebook to locate forum names.
Forum/Blog Name: Special Needs Seniors ? Planning for the Future of this Vulnerable Population Description: This blog discusses the common financial problems and concerns that occur in this aging population. The goal is to provide as many resources for seniors with special needs disabilities so they receive the care they often do not receive. Financial resources are available to this population and this blog outlines many of the federal and state resources and programs available. Also included are resources from private programs and information on special needs trusts, insurances and other financial planning information.
Forum/Blog Name: 7 Financial Planning Mistakes Special Needs Families Should Avoid Description: This blog talks about the seven different areas of mistakes that parents frequently make in financial planning.
Forum/Blog Name: The Team Approach to Financial Planning for Families with Special-Needs Dependents Description: This well referenced Journal provides information on all aspects of financial planning for families with special-needs dependents.
Forum/Blog Name: Special Needs Financial Planning Description: This blog covers a wide range of topics related to financial planning for autism: estate planning, college saving, retirement accounts and special needs trusts, financial factors and much more.