17/05/2026
As an association advancing estate planning standards in Singapore and the region, Asia Estate Planning Association believes the profession must continue stepping into areas that are deeply important, even when they are emotionally difficult and commercially challenging. Special needs planning is one such area.
On 8 May 2026, AEPA had the privilege of having Goh Wheeki conduct AEPA’s first Special Needs Planning elective for 35 members.
The session brought participants into difficult but necessary conversations surrounding the realities faced by many special needs families in Singapore. These included caregiver exhaustion, single parents left to shoulder caregiving responsibilities alone, concerns over long term care after parents pass on, emotional and financial vulnerability, and the risks of exploitation faced by some individuals with special needs.
These are not theoretical discussions. They are realities that many families quietly navigate every day.
Many of these families are simultaneously dealing with complex financial, caregiving, housing, and estate planning concerns. This reinforces why the profession must continue researching, learning, and strengthening its capabilities to better support families with special needs.
The discussions also highlighted an important truth. Meaningful work is not always measured purely by commercial value. As estate planning professionals, we are in a position to become catalysts for greater awareness, support structures, and long term planning solutions that can meaningfully improve the lives of vulnerable families.
Special needs families require thoughtful support, specialised planning considerations, and professionals willing to approach these conversations with empathy, patience, and care.
8 May 2026 marks a meaningful milestone in AEPA’s continuing journey to deepen professional capabilities and strengthen support for special needs families in our community.
*At the end of the class, we presented to Wheeki a painting done by a special need child when she was 10 years old.
