Mark is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and a Chartered Special Needs Consultant™.  He develops and advises on financial plans for special needs families, often in collaboration with other professionals including estate and benefits specialists.  As a special needs parent himself, he understands the need for planning to be adaptable to changing circumstances.  Mark addresses this though a planning process that is tailored to each client based on their individual family’s goals and considerations.

Mark is a native of McLean VA.  He resides in Falls Church with his wife Marianne and their daughter Anna.   He is a member of the Academy of Special Needs Planners, St. James Catholic Church in Falls Church, and various civic and social organizations throughout Northern Virginia.

Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI (NM) (life and disability insurance, annuities and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries. Mark Downs is an Insurance Agent of NM. Registered Representative of Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (securities), a subsidiary of NM, broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, and member FINRA and SIPC. Representative of Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company®, Milwaukee, WI (fiduciary and fee-based financial planning services), a subsidiary of NM and federal savings bank. There may be instances when this agent represents companies in addition to NM or its subsidiaries.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements. 

Firm Description

For the family of a person with special needs, financial planning is a necessity. A well-designed and executed special-needs plan can have a profound impact on your loved one’s quality of life and can help turn your dreams for his or her future into reality. A comprehensive plan can also help you avoid some common mistakes and oversights that could jeopardize the lifetime support of your loved one with special needs.

With so much at stake, it’s vital to work with professionals who understand the complexities of planning for a person with special needs. In fact, getting advice from someone without this expertise may do more harm than good.

That’s why it’s so important to seek help from a team of advisors who are experts in special-needs planning. In our experience, the most valuable teams include an attorney, a financial professional, and a social services professional, as each brings specific areas of expertise to the table that are needed to develop a comprehensive special-needs plan.

We can help you build your team of experts and coordinate all efforts on your behalf. With our collective guidance, you’ll be empowered to make informed decisions, take appropriate actions and help provide the highest possible quality of life for those who depend on you.

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