Business Details
11 Years
experience
Your Trusted Estate Planning Partner in Palo Alto
At Cookman Law, we specialize in estate planning, special needs planning, and trust administration for families with complex situations. Founded in 2015 by Ellen Cookman, our firm provides personalized legal solutions tailored to unique family dynamics, including parenting when you're gone, special needs trusts, and legacy protection. Our team of attorneys and paralegals delivers compassionate guidance through every stage of the planning process, from initial consultations to document execution. We prioritize transparency with flat-fee pricing and offer educational webinars to empower clients with knowledge.Our trust administration services ensure seamless asset transfer while maintaining compliance with California probate laws. With a focus on long-term relationships, we provide ongoing support through our Trust Maintenance Program, regular reviews, and coordination with financial advisors. Our attorneys hold certifications in estate planning and maintain affiliations with legal organizations, ensuring expertise in public benefits, tax implications, and fiduciary responsibilities. We serve clients across California with remote and in-person consultation options.
Services
Estate Planning
Special Needs Trusts
Trust Administration
Conservatorship
ABLE Accounts
Details
- Year established: 2015
Highlights and features
- We offer flat-fee pricing for transparent estate planning services
- Our team includes a certified specialist in estate planning law
- We provide educational webinars on special needs trusts and public benefits
- Our Trust Maintenance Program ensures ongoing plan compliance
- We coordinate with financial advisors and tax professionals for holistic planning
Associations and certifications
- California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization
- Martindale-Hubbell
What people say
Compassionate guidance
Transparent pricing
Educational resources
Expertise in special needs planning
Seamless trust administration
Services
Estate Planning
We create customized estate plans that protect assets and ensure your wishes are honored. Our services include wills, revocable living trusts, and advanced directives tailored to complex family situations. With a focus on long-term security, we help clients navigate tax implications and public benefit considerations while maintaining compliance with California law.
Special Needs Trusts
Our specialized trust services protect eligibility for public benefits while providing financial security for loved ones with disabilities. We design irrevocable trusts that meet Medi-Cal and SSI requirements, ensuring proper management of assets throughout the beneficiary's lifetime. Our team provides ongoing guidance for trust administration and benefit coordination.
Trust Administration
We guide trustees through the complex process of managing and distributing trust assets after death. Our services include asset inventory, tax compliance, creditor resolution, and beneficiary distributions while maintaining fiduciary responsibilities. We provide step-by-step support to ensure proper execution of trust terms and California probate code compliance.
ABLE Accounts
We help families establish ABLE accounts that complement special needs trusts while preserving public benefits. Our planning considers tax advantages, contribution limits, and qualified expense management. We provide ongoing guidance to ensure account usage aligns with both immediate needs and long-term trust objectives.
Conservatorship
Our team assists with creating limited conservatorships for adult children with disabilities. We guide families through court requirements while balancing independence with necessary protections. We provide comprehensive planning that integrates legal guardianship with financial and care management structures.
People
Ellen Cookman
Principal Attorney
Certified specialist in estate planning with 20+ years experience. Holds LL.M. in Estate Planning from Golden Gate University. Recognized as Northern California Super Lawyer and AV Preeminent rated attorney.
Hannah Macleod
Attorney
Experienced in trust administration and estate planning. Formerly worked in tax and employment law. Provides personalized guidance to help families achieve long-term security through comprehensive legal strategies.
Amiee Lee
Associate Attorney
Focuses on customized estate plans that reflect clients' unique needs. Prior experience in business document drafting informs practical approach to trust and will creation for complex family situations.
Megan Orsini
Lead Paralegal
15 years of legal experience with focus on trusts and estates. Provides technical expertise in document preparation and trust administration processes while maintaining client-focused support.
Jessica Jemente
Marketing Coordinator
Advocate for disability awareness with personal experience navigating special needs planning. Coordinates educational resources and community outreach initiatives to support families planning for the future.
Questions
What estate planning services do you offer for families with special needs?
We specialize in special needs trusts, ABLE accounts, and guardianship planning. Our services ensure asset protection while maintaining public benefit eligibility for loved ones with disabilities.
Do you provide ongoing maintenance for estate plans?
Yes, our Trust Maintenance Program includes annual reviews, document updates, and coordination with financial advisors to ensure your plan remains current with life changes and legal updates.
How are your legal fees structured?
We use flat-fee pricing for all services, providing cost certainty from initial consultation through document execution. Fees are collected upfront to encourage open communication during the planning process.
Can you help with trust administration after a loved one passes?
Yes, we guide trustees through asset inventory, tax compliance, and distribution processes. Our team provides step-by-step support to fulfill fiduciary responsibilities and execute trust terms properly.
Do you assist with public benefits applications?
We don't handle public benefits applications directly but can refer you to qualified professionals. Our planning focuses on maintaining benefit eligibility through proper trust and estate structures.
What educational resources do you provide?
We offer webinars on special needs planning, trust administration, and public benefits. Our video library and blog provide ongoing educational content for families navigating complex estate planning.
Videos
