#112 - Avoiding Financial Planning Mishaps

In this episode we cover common mistakes in special needs financial planning and the big question we need to be asking ourselves before making any financial planning move. We go over the difference between a financial planner and financial advisor, discuss what questions to ask when selecting a team, flexible financial planning strategies, and a quick hit list of ideas. About the Guest Andrew Komarow is a Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP™) and founder of Planning Across the Spectrum. Andrew specializes in helping any self-advocating client or family, with or without autism and intellectual disabilities, achieve financial security. He provides expert guidance for life decisions that are either unknown, not easily accessible, or can be complicated to pilot for someone with special needs. Andrew provides a unique perspective for those with special needs, their caregivers, and their families because he has “walked in their shoes,” having received his autism diagnosis late in life.  Andrew is a passionate advocate for autism awareness and has educated himself in everything possible to help the underserved autism community. In addition to his CFP™ designation, Andrew holds a master’s degree in financial services, and is a certified Behavioral Financial Advisor (BFA™), Chartered Special Needs Consultant (ChSNC®), and Associated Estate Planner (AEP®). Andrew sits on the boards for Autism Services & Resources Connecticut, the American College Alumni, and the FOCUS Center for Autism. He is a Connecticut house of representatives Autism Spectrum Disorders Advisory Council appointee and frequently speaks on his own experiences or on various financial and insurance planning topics. Andrew can be reached at andrew@planningacrossthespectrum.com. This show is the 12th of 12 episodes in a series focusing on Special Needs Financial Planning.