A small Seattle law firm dedicated to serving individuals and families through estate planning, probate, trust administration, and mediation — guided by a unique holistic approach that honors your values and family legacy.
★ Holistic · Values-Based · Community-Focused · 25%+ Pro Bono Service
The way we feel when we come to die is very much dependent on the way we have lived. If our daily life has been positive and meaningful, when the end comes, even though we do not wish for it, we will be able to accept it as a part of our life.
— The Dalai Lama
We believe great legal counsel goes beyond documents. It honors the whole person, their family, their values, and their vision for the future.
We take time to understand your family dynamics, values, and big-picture goals — not just your legal needs. Every plan reflects your unique story.
We emphasize non-litigated conflict resolution whenever possible — protecting family relationships while efficiently achieving your legal goals.
Our firm practices what it preaches — 25%+ pro bono service, environmental sustainability, and deep community involvement reflect our core principles.
Founded by Jamie Clausen to meet a real community need for affordable, values-based legal services. Over fifteen years of dedicated service to Seattle families.
Michael Ballnik brings corporate-level legal drafting expertise to individual clients — ensuring complex trusts, LLCs, and estate documents are precise and thorough.
We offer a free half-hour consultation to see if our services are the right fit for your situation — no pressure, no commitment, just honest guidance.
Comprehensive estate planning tools including Wills, Trusts, and Durable Powers of Attorney — aligned with your core values and family goals. We also provide ethical wills, legacy letters, and parenting statements.
Both traditional and collaborative approaches to probate and trust administration — maintaining family harmony while efficiently achieving your legal goals with dignity.
Compassionate legal support for elder law matters and guardianship proceedings — protecting the dignity and interests of vulnerable individuals and their families.
Jamie Clausen is a recognized leader in alternative dispute resolution, helping families find peaceful, dignified solutions outside of traditional litigation through mediation and collaborative law.
Founding Attorney
Jamie founded Phinney Estate Law in 2007 to address a community need for affordable, values-based estate planning. Inspired by her work as a pro bono volunteer providing estate planning assistance to clients with AIDS and HIV through the King County Bar Association, she built a practice grounded in compassion and community.
A recognized leader in alternative dispute resolution, Jamie serves as a mediator and collaborative attorney in probate and elder law disputes — always seeking to preserve family relationships while achieving legal goals.
Complex Drafting Partner
Michael joined Phinney Estate Law in 2009, bringing deep legal drafting expertise developed through years of corporate law practice. His background in interpreting and drafting complex insurance agreements and commercial settlement documents gives clients access to sophisticated drafting typically reserved for large corporations.
As Complex Drafting Partner, Michael specializes in trust agreements, LLC agreements, and other intricate estate planning vehicles — ensuring precision and thoroughness at every level.
Holistic law strives to provide services that take into account the whole person — their emotions, values, and unique family dynamics. We don't just draft documents. We listen deeply, honor dignity, and encourage healing.
We honor and respect the dignity and integrity of every individual involved, treating each case as the deeply personal matter it is.
We listen deeply and intentionally to gain complete understanding of your needs, concerns, and aspirations for your family's future.
We encourage reconciliation, forgiveness, and healing — helping families navigate difficult moments with grace and dignity preserved.
At least 25% of our practice is dedicated to direct pro bono service and free community education, administered through the King County Bar Association, King County Senior Services, and Northwest Justice Project.
Established to fill a genuine gap in the community — affordable, values-based estate planning for individuals and families in the Seattle area.
Our firm practices environmental sustainability as a core value — because caring for the future extends beyond your estate plan.
Schedule a free half-hour consultation by phone or email. We'll listen to your situation and help you understand whether our services are the right fit for your needs.
Through our holistic intake process, we learn about your family dynamics, values, big-picture goals, and concerns. Your estate plan will reflect your life — not a template.
Our attorneys craft your legal documents with precision and care — ensuring every detail aligns with your wishes and provides maximum protection for those you love.
We walk you through every document so you understand exactly what you're signing and why. Your estate plan is executed with full confidence and clarity.
Yes — we offer a free half-hour consultation to help you understand whether our services are right for your situation. You can schedule by calling (206) 459-1908, emailing info@phinneyestatelaw.com, or attending one of our free community classes.
Due to demand, there is currently an approximately five-month delay for new estate planning intakes. However, updates for former clients can typically be scheduled within two to three weeks, and probate/trust administration intakes can usually be arranged within two weeks. We also provide referrals to trusted attorneys with shorter wait times when needed.
Unlike traditional law firms that focus solely on legal documents, we take time to understand your family dynamics, values, and goals for the future. We may also help you develop non-legal tools like ethical wills, legacy letters, and parenting statements — and we always prioritize preserving family harmony over litigation.
Yes. We offer moderate means pricing for families with lower asset levels for estate planning, and reduced rates for Guardian Ad Litem service for smaller estates. We also dedicate at least 25% of our practice to direct pro bono service through approved programs. Contact our office to learn more.
We practice estate planning and disability planning, probate and trust administration (traditional and collaborative), guardianship and elder law, and mediation and conflict coaching. We serve individuals and families throughout the Seattle area.
Take the first step toward peace of mind. Schedule your free half-hour consultation with Phinney Estate Law today.