Cookman Law

My experience with Ellen Cookman Law was beyond my expectations. I was given her name through an organization that works with special needs and I was more than thrilled with the responses I got from Ellen and her marvelous team. Each person I spoke with was kind, compassionate and eager to help. All questions were answered with professionalism and courtesy. I always received expert care and encouragement when I wasn’t sure how to handle a particular portion. They helped me revise my current trust and special needs trust. I will continue to work with this law firm in the future. Thank you to all who were involved in my trust.

We used Cookman Law to update our Family Trust, a Special Needs Trust, Wills and other documents. Everyone we worked with at Cookman Law was Friendly, Professional and Knowledgeable. We were kept informed of the various steps during the process. They responded in a timely manner anytime we had a question, or needed assistance. My wife and I highly recommend Cookman Law and plan to continue to call on them with any Estate Planning we may need in the future. Anyone who has a Special Needs child, or family member should have a Special Needs Trust. Cookman Law is especially qualified in this area.

The Cookman Law office staff made us feel comfortable from our initial inquiry through receiving our completed documents. We needed to revise a special needs trust and other trusts and documents. We were aware of the office due to the excellent YouTube videos they create. Some of the staff have special needs family members of their own. They are by far the most organized and thorough law office we have worked with. This was the A to Z experience we always hoped for but had never found. We wanted referrals to other professionals to round out our team and those were provided. Everything was personalized to our needs and wishes, things we didn’t understand were thoughtfully explained, and our calls and zoom meetings felt like talking with trusted friends. We know that taking that first step is so scary when you are parents of a special needs child but we promise you that you will feel such relief when you have completed the process with Cookman Law!

It would be hard to find a better estate planning attorney to do your Living Trust/ Special Needs Trust than Ellen's team. There are many reasons why but I will share three: 1) Honesty and transparency, 2) Alignment with your personal interests, and 3) Value. 1) Honesty and Transparency. What you see is what you get! Her YouTube channel offers free unlimited access. She has posted over 75+ videos on various related estate planning and Special Needs topics. These are not short teaser videos stating all the things that could go wrong to get you to call now. These are videos to educate you so that you can ask better questions of yourself and her about what you want to accomplish and the ways it can be done. This is much better than getting a 1 or 2 hour "free" initial consultation to see if there is a fit. Prospective clients can get a good sense of her expertise, communication style, background, the process they will go through and the costs involved. 2) Alignment with your personal interests. She intuitively and instinctively understands your concerns, fears, and situation because, as a parent of a special needs child, she either has direct or indirect personal experience to draw from. And it is not only Ellen, but her associate attorneys and support staff as well have some kind of direct personal connection with a special needs individual. Call it their "X" factor. An important but often overlooked intangible item that results in achieving a good experience and outcome. 3) Value. She is active and networked in the Bay Area special needs community. She brings to the table more than just her legal expertise and services. She often interviews other experts on related topics to make you aware of different problem solving options. She may be more expensive than you planned for but you will be getting much more than you paid. Once again, the YouTube videos make it possible for prospective clients to judge for themselves, at their leisure, without limit, the value she provides. Real trust and comfort with your decision comes when you realize all the legal complexities involved and understand the possible consequences of each decision. By educating prospective clients beforehand on things they should consider, Ellen has cracked the code for marketing intangible business services like legal services. She has efficiently accomplished three objectives: 1) She raises awareness of her firm and services. 2) She builds trust and demonstrates her expertise. 3) She makes the process more efficient and less costly to both parties.

I have been using Cookman Law over 6 years to create a Special Needs Trust and to update my existing trust several times. Each time it has been pleasantly smooth, affordable and clarifying regarding important changes. I am confident that my end of life wishes are being protected and communicated clearly.