I have always viewed my role in the planning process as an educator and advisor. I want to educate families on what happens if they do not plan and how they can accomplish their goals if they do plan. There are serious consequences that they may not have considered if they continue to put off estate planning simply because it is a difficult topic or it is too 5 expensive to address “right now.” I advise families on what the cost could be of not planning and how much time, money, and emotional anguish we can save by spending the time upfront on planning. The design of the estate plan is left up to the family and as long as they go into the design fully educated and empowered as to what they can accomplish with their plan, then I am doing my job as their advisor. I love seeing a plan come together and seeing a family breathe a sigh of relief once they have a plan implemented. They have the security of knowing their child will be taken care of when they are no longer here to do it themselves.

This book is dedicated to all the tired and overwhelmed parents trying to weave their way through all the planning options for their child with a disability. I hope this guide serves to help you navigate your way through to the best options for your child so as to give them the most independence and yet maximize all of the resources available, both private and public, to provide the best quality of life you can for your loved one.