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Cookman Law
We believe that each family has unique needs, and their estate plan should be customized to meet those needs.
Ellen Cookman, Owner & Principal Attorney
Hannah McLeod, Attorney
Amiee Lee, Associate Attorney
Megan Orsini, Head Paralegal
Roby Anne Albarracin, Paralegal
Catarine Datora, Paralegal
Wendy Farrie, Office Manager
Huong Pineda, Systems & Strategic Initiatives Manager
Vanessa Lawson, Administrative Assistant
Jessica Jemente, Marketing & Firm Development
Marianne Ingle, Receptionist
Nancy De Leon, Intake Specialist
Keli Kennerley, Client Happiness Coordinator
Rafaela Silveira, Executive Assistant
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Wondering how to talk with your family about your estate plan? Our handy checklist will equip you to plan an effective and stress-free family meeting.
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Protecting a Loved One with Special Needs for Life: The Tools That Work Together
October is National Special Needs Law Month, and it’s a good time to look at special needs planning as a whole. Most families come to us asking about one document:…
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ABLE Accounts and Special Needs Trusts in California: How to Use Both (2026 Update)
At Cookman Law, we love ABLE accounts. They give a person with a disability room to save and spend without putting SSI or Medi-Cal at risk, and they make life…
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When Life Changes, So Should Your Special Needs Plan: A Guide to Reviewing and Updating Your SNT
Your special needs trust was built around your family’s life at a specific point in time: your child at a particular age. Your family’s situation. The benefits rules as they…
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Dynasty Trust vs. Special Needs Trust: Which Protects Your Child’s Inheritance?
When you sit down to plan what you’ll leave your children, you’re really trying to answer one question: how do I make sure this actually helps them? Two tools come…
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Dynasty Trust Explained: How to Protect Your Child’s Inheritance
How can you protect your child’s inheritance? One really powerful tool is using a dynasty trust. In this article, I’m going to explain all about dynasty trusts: What Is a…
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Setting Up Your Special Needs Trust to Work When It Matters Most: A Guide for California Families
The day you sign your special needs trust is a real milestone. After all the conversations and decisions, you finally have the document in hand. That feeling of relief is…
