Taffy pulling
As a parent of three children, one of whom has Down syndrome, there are many times that I feel like a piece of taffy in a candy factory – pulled…
Special needs planning
Future planning – choosing between fear and courage
Last month, I spoke at the National Down Syndrome Society’s adult conference in Detroit to a room of parents with adult children with Down syndrome. Some families were still figuring…
Puzzle pieces
Complete pictures help solve puzzles
My family and I spent some time working on puzzles over winter break. We had time, it was cold outside and needed something to do. Have you ever tried putting…
My child owns a condo…
A safe and permanent home is right at the top of the list of wishes most parents have for their family member with special needs. We give that to our…
QDE - education
Spending ABLEs – What’s a QDE anyway?
The ABLE Act changed the way we think about saving and spending money for our family members with special needs. For the first time, we can now have a simple,…
Starting to design – your DreamList
“Starting to Design” is the second Building Block in my Blueprints series of workshops and the second chapter of my book, Financial Freedom for Special Needs Families. This Building Block…
special needs planning mistakes
A $250,000 Mistake
Why would any investor seek to gain 7% on their portfolio only to have 25% of their investments go to waste? Similar scenarios play out in my office on a…
Three steps to having your special-needs trust in place in 30 days
This month, I spent two and a half days at the National Down Syndrome Congress’ annual convention in Dallas. The NDSC asked me to give a workshop on special-needs planning…
Special needs planning checklist
Starting to design? – This list is for you!
Last month, I hosted a workshop focused on the second and third steps of my Blueprints process of financial planning for families with a special needs member. “Starting to Design”…
Divorce, Car Accidents and Other Reasons to Use a Trust
Special-needs trusts are key tools in the process of planning for the future needs and high quality of life for your family member with an intellectual or developmental disability. Trusts…
ABLE Act account updates
Families with special-needs members watched with worried hearts and concerned minds as Congress debated and approved changes to the tax code in December 2017. There is a lot at stake…
Communicate Your Planning
TV shows and movies look to enhance drama in every scene and a favorite device to create tense emotions when someone dies is the reading of the will. These scenes…