Each month, the Journal of Financial Planning poses a question online based on the current issue's "10 Questions" interview. Comment on the question and respond to your colleagues' feedback.

March 2010

Serving Special-Needs Families

In this month's "10 Questions with Mary Anne Ehlert," a financial planner nationally recognized for her work with special-needs clients, Ehlert contends that while the financial planning community is more aware than in the past about special-needs families, it still is failing to adequately serve those families. Planners too often don't inquire of clients whether they might have a special-needs family member for whom they may or may not become responsible. Planners also mistakenly believe special-needs families won't be able to pay for their services. And planners too often make mistakes when they do serve special-needs families.

Do you agree with this assessment? What has been your response when you learned a client or potential client required special-needs planning? Have you worked with the family yourself, brought in outside experts such as attorneys, or referred the family to an adviser who specializes in this area?

Discuss this and other topics online with your colleagues. Join the discussion at FPA's group site on LinkedIn (member login required).