“You get what you pay for.” We’ve all heard it. And while that phrase might not apply to every area of life, it’s certainly true when it comes to estate planning. When the stakes involve your family, your home, your assets, and your peace of mind, cutting corners simply isn’t worth the risk.
At Cookman Law, we’re not in the business of selling documents. We’re in the business of protecting people. We help families build estate plans that actually work when they’re needed most. And that kind of planning takes more than filling in blanks on a form.
What Estate Planning Really Involves
People often come to us thinking that estate planning is just about getting a will or a trust in place. But the truth is, that’s only one part of the process. Drafting the documents is maybe a third of what we do. The rest involves listening carefully to your story, asking the right questions, spotting risks, and identifying complexities that may not be obvious at first.
We want to understand who you are, what your family looks like, and what you’re hoping to accomplish. Then we help translate that into a legal plan that’s tailored to your situation – not a one-size-fits-all solution. Our job is to anticipate issues before they happen, so your loved ones aren’t left dealing with confusion, conflict, or courtrooms.
“My Situation Is Pretty Simple…” (But Is It, Really?)
This is something we hear all the time – and sometimes, it’s true. But more often, once we start talking through the details, we discover important nuances that need to be addressed. Maybe there’s a child who has special needs, or a sibling who doesn’t get along with others in the family. Perhaps there’s property in another state, or adult children from different marriages. Even something as common as a jointly owned home can create unintended problems if not handled correctly in your plan.
People often assume their estate is too small or straightforward to require much planning, but we’ve found that most families benefit from a more thoughtful approach. The truth is, few estate plans are as simple as they first appear. And when things go wrong – whether due to poor drafting, unclear instructions, or unfunded trusts – the emotional and financial toll on a family can be significant.
Trust Administration Experience Makes Us Better Planners
One of the reasons we’re so careful and thorough in our planning is because we also do trust administration. This means we’ve walked alongside families after a loved one has passed, helping them carry out the instructions of a trust. And we’ve seen what happens when those instructions aren’t clear, when documents aren’t written with precision, or when assets weren’t transferred properly into the trust.
This back-end experience gives us unique insight into what really matters in an estate plan. We understand how banks and financial institutions respond to certain language. We know the mistakes that lead to delays, disputes, and unnecessary court involvement. And we incorporate all of that into every plan we create, so you don’t have to learn those lessons the hard way.
The Cost of Doing It Right (And the Cost of Doing It Wrong)
We understand that cost is often a concern when people reach out to us. Estate planning can feel like a big investment, especially when it’s compared to online legal forms or budget document preparers. And for some families, that comparison is tempting. After all, if you can get something done for a few hundred dollars online, why pay more?
But what many people don’t realize is that those online forms often leave out critical protections, especially for California residents. They may not meet state-specific legal requirements. They rarely account for blended families, public benefits, or asset protection. They may result in additional tax burdens if not handled correctly. And they certainly don’t come with professional guidance, or a team who’s thinking about your family’s future long after the documents are signed.
When we create an estate plan, we’re not just giving you a binder. We’re walking you through every step, helping you transfer assets into your trust, coordinating with your financial advisor if needed, and offering tools to keep your plan updated as life changes. We check and double-check our work, with multiple team members reviewing every plan. And when your plan is complete, we package everything together in a way that’s organized, clear, and easy for your loved ones to follow later on.
Yes, the upfront cost is higher than some alternatives. But it’s a fraction of what it could cost your family if something goes wrong. Probate in California for a $1 million estate can easily exceed $20,000 in fees. A poorly written trust can cause disputes that end up in court. An incorrect beneficiary designation can disqualify a loved one with special needs from receiving public benefits. These are real risks we’ve seen firsthand—and they’re avoidable with the right planning.
A Special Focus on Special Needs Planning
We work with a wide range of clients, but we have particular expertise in special needs planning. If you’re caring for a loved one with a disability, a mental health diagnosis, or long-term support needs, the importance of good planning cannot be overstated. Government benefits like SSI and Medi-Cal have strict rules about asset limits and income eligibility. Without a properly structured plan, your loved one could lose access to those critical supports.
We help families set up Special Needs Trusts that preserve eligibility while offering long-term financial protection. We guide parents in writing Letters of Intent that explain their child’s care, routines, and support needs to future caregivers. And we work closely with public benefits systems so our clients don’t have to navigate them alone.
What You’re Getting When You Work With Us
When you work with Cookman Law, you’re not just hiring an attorney, you’re gaining a team. We make sure every client has access to personalized guidance, professional support, and planning that reflects their real-life needs.
We offer fully virtual services throughout California, with in-person meetings available at our Palo Alto office. We help with asset funding, provide ongoing check-ins, and make it easy to update your plan over time. Our team is growing, and we’re committed to being here for your family not just today, but for years to come.
Planning That Lasts
We believe estate planning should bring peace of mind. It should reduce uncertainty, not create more of it. It should protect your loved ones, preserve your wishes, and ease the burden on the people you care about most.
If you’ve been putting off this process because of cost, confusion, or complexity, we want to invite you to take the first step. You don’t have to figure everything out at once. Just start the conversation.
We’re here to listen, to guide, and to help you create a plan that works—now and in the future.
Schedule a consultation today. We’d be honored to help.