Dissolution and Legal Separation are never easy.  Couples need to divide assets and debts and make provisions for their children.  These decisions are often complicated and sometimes contentious.  For some families they may only be resolved by litigation.  But for many families these issues can be resolved by informal negotiation, mediation, or collaborative law.  These approaches, while each different, have in common that they:

• Save on legal expenses,
• Allow the parties to control the outcome,
• Create enduring agreements, and
  
• Assist in preserving goodwill and relationships between the parties.

Phinney Estate Law provides legal assistance to clients seeking these approaches by:

• drafting pleadings &  getting court approval for agreements reached in informal negotiations or mediation
• providing conflict coaching & legal consultations for clients in unrepresented mediations
  
• representing clients in collaborative cases. 

We also assist clients in negotiating and drafting prenuptial agreements and cohabitation agreements or pursuing step-parent adoption or adult adoption.

Phinney Estate Law Attorney, Jamie Clausen, also serves as a neutral mediator for couples seeking assistance in resolving family law disputes.

We do not litigate family law matters.  If you have a case that requires a litigated approach we recommend that you seek an attorney who focuses their practice on family law.  Three of our favorite family law attorneys are Joanna Roth, Xanna Moore-Wulsin, and Mary Sakaguchi. If you are in need of pro bono advice we recommend you contact Northwest Justice Project.