2020-06-21 The Special Needs Plan with Steve Rhatigan, Founder of the Archer Consulting Group

Our guest is Steve Rhatigan, the founding member of the Archer Consulting Group. His firm specializes in financial, legal, and life-time care strategies concerning special needs planning and wealth management.95% of his cases concerns a mother where the father has filed for divorce. The dad has had as much time as needed to get his ducks in a row, so mom is already way behind the curve. The goal of this show is to make sure that the caregiver of the special needs child and the child's interests are addressed by the court system.  "Your job is to educate your lawyer and judge.  By doing this, you will help your lawyer get a better result in your family’s divorce, and you will help the families who come behind you." - Steve Rhatigan   Some major issues Steve sees when the divorce action begins: 1.     Not having knowledge or access to the marital finances: make copies of everything. 2.     No understanding of the difference of marital and a separate property. 3.     Failing to think long-term...Cost of Care 4.     Life insurance and retirement plans 5.     Understanding the change in the standard of life 6.     Letting emotions rule your decisions 7.     Not being realistic about costs associated with your child’s care 8.     Sharing an attorney 9.     Not understanding the relationship with your attorney and how best to maximize it. Important Links to help you with your divorce.Cost of CareTax Implications of DivorceDivorce Checklist Child Support   Archer Consulting Case Study – Divorce Modification with a Special Needs Child      Steve Rhatigan - Founder of the Archer Consulting Group Purposefully Preparing Families to Navigate the Complexities of Special Needs Planning and Dynamic Financial Modeling Special Needs Divorce Services  A detailed description of the child’s disabling condition with current and prospective care implications;  Projections for the cost of care based on current needs plus analyses of multiple future options;  An assessment of the lifestyle impact for both parties due to the unique care needs of the child;  A review of currently available disability related benefits; a description of their eligibility requirements and an explanation of how they affect the design of the Final Decree;  Recommendations for the need of non-standard child support payments and/or additional maintenance or property distribution payments when appropriate; and,  Suggestions, when requested, on ancillary issues such as:  ž Legal Custody and Guardianship;  ž Alternate Parenting and Visitation plans;  ž Lifetime Care Planning as part of the process; and,  ž Adequate Risk Management to protect and guarantee the full performance      of the Final Decree. Archer Consulting GroupFinancial, Legal, and Lifetime Care StrategiesWebsite:Archer Consulting Group Contact Information:1235 North Loop WestSuite 925Houston, TX 77008Phone: (713) 572-1717See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.