Once your child turns 18, they become an “adult”, and they can qualify for certain needs-based public benefits and make their own decisions. Understanding Special Needs Trusts, Conservatorships, and Supported Decision-Making for your children becomes very important at that point.

Please join attorney Ellen Cookman for a lively and informative presentation on these planning tools and how your family can use them, including a deeper dive into the following issues:

• Should I have a stand-alone or testamentary special needs trust?
• What is the difference between a first-party and third-party special needs trust?
• When and how should I transfer assets into (i.e. “fund”) the trust?
• How does a conservatorship work?
• When might I choose to use alternatives to conservatorships – i.e. Supported Decision-Making, Durable Powers of Attorney, Advance Health Care Directives?

Presenter:
At Cookman Law, we’re passionate about helping families with loved ones who will need extra support after the parents are gone. We help parents design an estate plan and build a professional team that provides scaffolding for their loved ones to thrive, ensuring financial security and protection. We then continue supporting families through our Client Care Plan, keeping their estate plan up to date as their needs evolve. When the time comes, we assist with trust administration, ensuring assets are transferred smoothly and securely to the next generation.

Ellen Cookman is the principal attorney of Cookman Law and a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law from the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization. She received her J.D. from UC Berkeley School of Law and her LL.M. in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate from Golden Gate University. Ellen lives in East Palo Alto with her husband and their two boys (her older son has high-functioning autism).

Our office is located in Palo Alto, California, but we’re fully remote and proudly serve clients all over the state. Be sure to check out our YouTube channel, Ellen Cookman – Special Needs Trust Attorney, where we offer in-depth insights on estate planning, special needs planning, and trust administration.

Please note: If you need Spanish interpretation to participate, we require you to indicate this on your registration at least 7 days prior to the training.

Please register in advance to receive the Zoom meeting link. To help protect the privacy and safety of participating families, registrations may be reviewed and approved manually before access is provided.

Zoom may also require you to sign in with a Zoom account, and some sessions may include a visible watermark. These added safety features help us maintain a more secure and confidential space for everyone.

Privacy Notice: To help maintain a safe and confidential space, recording, screenshots, photography, and the use of AI tools for recording or note-taking are not permitted. By registering, you agree to respect the privacy of all participants.

For any questions, concerns, or accommodation requests, please contact us at info@smcfrc.org or 650-259-0189.