In the midst of hopes and cares, of apprehensions and of disquietude, regard every day that dawns upon you as if it was to be your last; then the added hours, the enjoyment of which you had not looked forward, will prove an acceptable boon.

                      Horace

Fee Schedule

Phinney Estate Law prefers to work with our Estate Planning clients through a flat fee payment structure.  We find that this is what best encourages clients to share with us all the information we need to put together a good plan.  We begin all our work with estate planning clients with a complementary 30 minute consultation.  This allows us to get information on your family situation, assets and debts, and goals so we can recommend a scope of work and quote you a specific flat fee based on what package would be the best match to your needs.

​Standard Estate Plan:
Includes drafting and execution of a Will, Powers of Attorney for Health Care and Finances, and Advance Health Care Directive for all clients. Plans for parents also include Durable Power of Attorney for Child Care, designation of guardian for children, and an optional Children’s Trust for each client. Assistance with the titling of property and accounts and designation of beneficiaries is provided as needed.

Couple with Minor Children  $2,400
Couple without Minor Children  $2,000
Individual with Minor Children  $1,800
Individual without Minor Children  $1,200

Standard Estate Plan with Credit Shelter Trust:
Recommended for married couples with assets in excess of $2.5 million dollars who are not planning for significant charitable giving and who are concerned about reducing their Washington State Estate Tax. Note: We do not focus our practice on tax avoidance for estates subject to the Federal Estate tax. Families with assets in excess of $6 million who are not planning to make significant charitable gifts and who are concerned about avoiding taxes may want to work with a firm with this focus and can be provided referrals.

Couple with Minor Children  $3,200
Couple without Minor Children  $2,600

Additional Trusts, including Living Trust or Special Needs Trust:

Testamentary Special Needs Trust added to Estate Plan $500
Non-Parental Testamentary Trust for Minors added to Estate Plan $500
Testamentary Bypass Trust added to Estate Plan $700
Testamentary Residential Trust added to Estate Plan $700

Stand-Alone Special Needs Trust $1,500
​Stand-Alone Revocable Living Trust $1,800

Disability Plan:
Powers of Attorney for Health Care, Child Care and Finances, and Health Care Directive.

Couple  $600
Individual  $400

Phinney Estate Law is committed to providing affordable legal services to our low and moderate-income neighbors.  Through the WSBA Moderate Means Program we provide significant discounts on Estate Planning for individuals and families whose total net worth, including real estate equity, retirement savings, and life insurance, is below $400K per adult in the household.  If you believe you qualify for this program, please let us know when you make your initial appointment so we can price your flat fee accordingly.  

We provide legal services for non-litigated and collaborative law probates on an hourly basis because that is the preference of the courts for this work.  We begin all work in this area with a no-obligation 30 minute consultation to better understand your case, provide recommendations on process and scope of work, and see if our firm is a good fit for your needs.  

Probate, Guardianship, Trust Administration, and Step-Parent Adoption:

Attorney time  $280/hour
Paralegal time  $180/hour

Collaborative Probate and Trust Litigation:
Representing beneficiaries or heirs contesting the administration of a probate or trust in cases where all sides have agreed to resolve their issues without resorting to litigation.  Parties agree to a cooling off period prior to resorting to litigation if the process fails. In such cases Phinney Estate Law can represent one party in negotiation and/or mediation of your agreement, memorializing your agreement, and processing the paperwork required to get it approved by the court. Phinney Estate Law reserves the right to withdraw as counsel if the client opts to resort to litigation.

Attorney time  $280/hour
Paralegal time  $180 /hour

Mediation Services:
Phinney Estate Law partner Jamie Clausen serves as a neutral third-party mediator in probate, trust, guardianship, family law, landlord/tenant, personal injury and other disputes.  The mediator is jointly retained and fees are typically split among the parties.

Mediator time  $150/hour

Conflict Coaching:
Phinney Estate Law partner Jamie Clausen, drawing upon her experiences as a litigation advocate and mediator, provides behind the scenes consultation and assistance with resolving conflicts.  Services include evaluation of approaches to resolution, ghost writing of letters, practice negotiations, and referral to resources.  Our consultation services are focused on the areas of probate and trust disputes, elder law, and family law.

Consultation time $150/hour

Personal Representative, PGAL, TGAL, or Court Visitor
Phinney Estate Law partner Jamie Clausen is available and qualified to serve as court-appointed Professional Representative, Trust Guardian Ad Litem, Probate Guardian ad Litem, or Court VIsitor for Adult Guardianships and Conservatorship.  If needed for a case, please contact us in advance to allow for conflict checks and confirm availability before nomination.  

                                                                                      Public Pay, $200/hour or as ordered by Court

Charity Discount Program

Phinney Estate Law now offers a 10% discount off of the cost of Estate Planning Services to all clients who choose to include in their planning a gift of $1,000 or more in their will or trust to one of these charities:



Phinney Neighborhood Association
Aurora Commons
Family Works
Food Lifeline
Program for Early Parent Support (PEPS)
New Beginnings
Woodland Park Zoo

Please note that discounts cannot be combined.

If you would like to nominate a non-profit for inclusion in our program, like us on facebook and post your suggestion.