Who We Are

The Barnum Financial Group’s Center for Special Needs Planning was established to extend Barnum Financial Group’s commitment of public service to families with dependents of any age, from infant to senior, who have a disability. The Center is committed to helping families in all of Connecticut and surrounding states through the maze of legal and financial complexities surrounding planning for the future of dependents with special needs. Working with a qualified legal advisor, The Center’s Special Needs Planners can help you secure lifetime care and quality of life for your dependent with special needs. Your Planner will help you build financial freedom and protection for your loved one, even for when you may no longer be there to serve as an advocate.

       View an article about the Center published in the New Haven Register

                                             

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

Our National Partner

MetDESK, MetLife's Division of Estate Planning for Special Kids

MetDESK, MetLife's Division of Estate planning for Special Kids was established in 1998 to extend MetLife's traditional commitment of public service to families with children of any age, from infant to senior, who have a disability. 

MetDESK has deep roots in advocacy.  The organization was created by parents of children with special needs and most specialists from around the country are either parents of a child with special needs or have close relatives with special needs. 

The extensive training and continuing education offered by MetDESK allow our specialists to keep pace with the continuous changes in the law and learn new planning strategies. 

Your specialist at the Center will work with you and a qualified attorney to ensure that the right financial and legal strategies are in place in order to build financial freedom and protection for your loved one, even when you may no longer be there to serve as an advocate.

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The Planning Process
 
Planning for your dependent is a daunting task, but the time to plan is now.  All too often caregivers put off planning for the future because we are just trying to get through today.  But when we continue to put it off and are forced to make decisions in a crisis, it can make an already overwhelming  process more stressful.  Taking the proper steps today can help ensure your dependent’s security for tomorrow so don't put it off any longer.  Each family is as unique as each situation. There are specific needs that will always be present and you must consider and prepare for them.
 
Step 1:  The special needs planning process begins with a complete review of your needs, goals and future care plans for your dependent, assessment of government benefit eligibility and a review of your family’s current financial and legal plans. 
 
Step 2:  Critical issues that are addressed include the ways that a special needs trust can preserve government benefit eligibility; choice of trustee, guardian, conservator or client self-determination and advocacy training if appropriate.
 
Step 3:  Discuss appropriate funding vehicles to fund a special needs trust. 
 
Step 4:  The next step is to review a variety of options available and recommendations for implementation that work with your families unique needs. 
 
Step 5:  Referrals are made to other knowledgeable professionals whenever possible, including Attorneys, CPAs, support groups and non-profit organizations.
 
Finally:  We will periodically review and revise your plan as life changes occur.
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

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