Our estate planning attorneys help families with complex issues plan for the future when they're gone. Children with special needs, and even some adult children, may need financial and care structure throughout their lives. Because of our estate planning expertise with more complicated situations, we can help craft right solution - whether it is a trust or guardianship option or securing financial stewardship going forward.
Our financial planner suggested that because of changing tax laws, we should consider a dynastic trust. As we have a granddaughter on the autistic spectrum, there were other considerations as well. Ellen was very knowledgeable about customizing a trust to suit our unique needs. She set up a dynasty trust for us with special needs provisions to protect and provide for our granddaughter.
Our financial planner suggested that because of changing tax laws, we should consider a dynastic trust. As we have a granddaughter on the autistic spectrum, there were other considerations as well. Ellen was very knowledgeable about customizing a trust to suit our unique needs. She set up a dynasty trust for us with special needs provisions to protect and provide for our granddaughter.
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About
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At Cookman Law, we are passionate about helping families with complex situations plan for the future. We believe that each family has unique needs, and their estate plan should be customized to meet those needs. Ellen Cookman started the firm in 2015, to provide broad estate planning services in the California Bay Area with a subfocus in special needs planning.
Estate Planning
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Estate planning is the process of establishing a plan for the management and distribution of your assets upon your death or incapacity. You want to make sure that your final property and health care wishes are honored, and that your family and loved ones are provided for when you are gone. Some families with complex situations or children who will need a lot of guidance need an estate plan to provide financial management, care and structure.
Trusts
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This is the cornerstone of most estate plans in California. This type of trust can be changed or amended at any time (it's "revocable") and it's set up while the settlor is still alive (it's "living"). Typically, the people setting up a revocable living trust play all 3 roles: they are the settlors, the trustees, and the beneficiaries!
Wills
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The "Will Reading" is a dramatic feature in many popular films - Who will inherit what? Consider the movie "Gran Torino", where the Clint Eastwood character bequests the movie's namesake car to Thao Vang Lor, a young Hmong teenager and Eastwood's neighbor. Or in "Knives Out", where Harlan Thrombey, the elderly family patriarch, caused a ruckus by leaving everything to Marta, Harlan's nurse.
Special Needs Planning
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A special needs trust is the cornerstone of broader special needs planning. Specials needs children and their families need more than help with therapists and schooling. They need holistic planning that requires both legal and financial expertise. By structuring a legal plan for financial and custodial support, your child's world will be maintained and protected when you die.
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