Description

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The purpose of special needs planning is to create the best possible life for an adult with a disability. This book provides comprehensive guidance on creating a life plan to transition a special needs child to independence or to ensure they are well cared for in the future.

Beginning with a vision of a meaningful life for the child, Hal Wright explains how to form a practical plan to reach these goals, how to mentor personal empowerment and task skills, and how to create circles of support to sustain a life plan. He next looks at employment and residential options, and government programs available in the United States. Finally he talks the reader through important financial and legal considerations, including how to fund and manage a special needs trust.

This book will be essential reading for all parents or guardians of a child with a cognitive, mental or physical impairment. It will also be of interest to attorneys, financial planners, insurance agents, trust officers and other professionals looking to better serve the special needs community.

About the Author

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Hal Wright has been married for forty years and has three adult children, one born with Down syndrome. He had a successful 27 year career in corporate finance, but in 2004 read an article in the Wall Street Journal about the scarcity of financial planners with expertise in special needs planning. He resigned his corporate position and established a financial planning practice focused on special needs planning. He graduated from the College of Financial Planning and earned the respected professional designation of Certified Financial Planner (CFP(R)). Now retired from professional practice, he is a frequent speaker on the topic and has presented to the Colorado Bar Association and the Women's Estate Planning Council for CLE credit. He lives in Denver, Colorado.