ASN Presents: Financial Planning for Special Needs
Janet Lawson, MFT | August 6, 2015
The Autistry Support Network is pleased to invite you to attend a special panel discussion on Financial Planning for Special Needs to be held at Autistry Studios’ new location.
Date: Thursday, August 27, 2015
Time: 7pm to 8:30 pm
Where: Autistry Studios, 448 Du Bois Street, San Rafael (Directions)
**REGISTRATION REQUIRED** RSVP to Barbara Waite.
Parents must plan carefully to provide the best future possible for their children with special needs. Most families want to maximize their child’s eligibility for government programs like SSI and Medi-Cal, but also want to use tools like Special Needs Trusts to maintain a certain standard of living for their child. During this panel discussion, experts from various fields will address questions such as:
• How might a Special Needs Trust be used most effectively in an estate plan? Is the ABLE Act a useful tool?
• How do I know if I have set aside enough assets for my child, and how should these assets be invested?
• How should I think about naming a family member versus corporate trustee for my Special Needs Trust?
• Under what circumstances should I consider using insurance to fund my child’s Special Needs Trust?
• Under what conditions should I consider a limited conservatorship for my child?
ASK AHEAD OF TIME! What are your most pressing questions about financial planning for your Autistry student? What do you wish you knew?
Send questions to Susan Ansberry.
Our panelists will be:
Jennifer Cunneen, an attorney specializing in estate planning. Jennifer advises individuals, families and closely held businesses on estate planning, family foundations and other wealth-transfer related issues. Jennifer earned her BS and JD from Santa Clara University, where she graduated cum laude. Jennifer works with many families with special needs children, including establishing special needs trusts and limited conservatorships, which is a very gratifying part of her law practice. She enjoys her free time with her family, and her community involvement with the Rotary and other nonprofits. Jennifer is a mother to two children, including her son Nick who is on the autism spectrum.
Greg Finn, the Trust Relationship Manager for Fremont Bank’s Trust Department, which specializes in serving as trustee for family’s Special Needs Trusts (SNTs). Greg has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, the last 10 years focusing on SNTs. He and his team help family members with bill paying, investment of trust assets, public benefits, estate planning and tax planning. Greg has a BSC in Finance and an MBA from Santa Clara University and is a graduate of Cannon Financial Institute’s Special Needs Trusts School.
Karen Park, a Principal at Bernstein and a mother to three boys, including one who has complex special needs. Karen joined Bernstein in 2004 and is based in the firm’s San Francisco office. She advises high-net-worth families regarding their investment plans, wealth transfer goals and related issues. Prior to joining Bernstein, Karen was a vice president with Morgan Stanley’s technology investment banking team and a financial analyst with CS First Boston. She earned a BA, magna cum laude, in social studies from Harvard University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
What is the Autistry Support Network? The ASN is the booster group for Autistry Studios. It coordinates auxiliary activities such as field trips, speaker events, fundraisers, social get-togethers, and more. If you are the parent or guardian of an Autistry student, congratulations—you are automatically a member of the ASN! There aren’t any dues, but the ASN does provide opportunities to network with other parents who “get it” and the chance to support all Autistry students.
