Hosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) are joined by special needs financial planner Betsy Larson for a discussion on financial and estate planning for families of individuals with disabilities. Betsy explains the importance of planning for a "three-person" retirement, using tax-efficient strategies, trusts, ABLE accounts, and her "bucket plan" to provide long-term financial security while avoiding common planning mistakes. She also discusses individualized approaches to guardianship, the value of a detailed letter of intent, the role of corporate trustees, and the importance of keeping estate plans up to date to ensure continuity of care. Join the conversation!

Episode Keywords:
Special needs, special needs planning, financial planning, financial planner, three-person retirement, government benefits, Medicaid, SSI, SSDI, bucket plan, now bucket, preservation bucket, distribution bucket, special needs trust, ABLE account, tax management, inheritance, estate planning, legacy planning, guardianship, supported decision making, letter of intent, transition process, corporate trustee, housing options, emotional support.

Links:
Special Needs Advanced Planning (link)
YouTube Channel (link)
Podshare - Six Pillars of Financial Planning (link)
Ep. 70 ABLE Accounts vs Special Needs Trust (link)
Ep. 92 Interview: Kelly Nelson & Understanding ABLE Accounts (link)

Send Us Questions or Comments

Support the show

To download a copy of a transcript for this episode or any of our previous conversations, click here.
Also visit our Podcast webpage to find links to all of our other discussions; go to www.p2transition.com.
Additional information about post-secondary transition can be found at our website.
The Post-Secondary Transition Podcast Facebook page.
Visit our YouTube Channel to find additional video resources.
Intro/Outro and Ad Music by Oleksandr Stepanov & AudioCoffee from Pixabay.
Transition music by Joseph McDade from Transistor.