Our Holistic Approach
At Phinney Estate Law we are committed to a holistic approach to providing legal services and have structured our practice to that end. Holistic law, like the more commonly understood holistic medicine, strives to provide services that take into account the the whole person, including their emotions, values, and unique family dynamics.
To that end holistic lawyers, while helping client achieve their specific legal goals in each case, also strives to wholly honor and respect the dignity and integrity of each individual; listen intentionally and deeply in order to gain complete understanding of the clients needs; and encourage compassion, reconciliation, forgiveness and healing wherever needed. When ever possible we help clients to achieve a non-litigated resolutions of any disputes that arise. To that end we work to help client find opportunity for resolution in the midst of conflict and encourage the use of mediation and/or collaborative law whenever appropriate.
In the Estate Planning and Disability Planning context, this holistic approach leads us to take the time to learn about clients family dynamics, values, and big picture goals for their families and their biggest concerns for the future. In making plans we work to find solutions that will be the best match to the client. To that end we will work with clients to explore benefits and downsides of any plan option. We also discuss in detail with clients any family conflicts that might be raised by planning decisions and discuss options for avoiding and/or resolving these conflicts.
In addition to drafting legal documents for our clients such as Durable Powers of Attorney, Advance Health Care Directives, Wills, and Trusts, we assist client who are interested in developing non-legal tools such as the drafting of ethical wills, legacy letters, and parenting statements and the development of a legacy plan for during their life.
In the Probate and Trust Administration context, we work with personal representatives to find ways of dealing with creditors and division of assets that both honor the wishes of the deceased and minimize family conflict. We also work with interested clients to find ways to honor the deceased’s legacy individually or collaboratively with their family. If conflict arises we work with clients to find non-litigated solutions whenever possible and are one of the few firms in the state to provide collaborative law representation in this area.
In the Guardianship and Elder Law context, we give great care to allow clients who are ill or disabled to participate in the decision making about their health, home, assets, and lifestyle to the fullest extent possible. In addition setting up needed guardianships for those who have not done sufficient pre-disability planning, we will work with clients to explore the possibilities that may exist to maximize their ability to live as independently as possible.
Our work in the Family Law context and Small Business Law context is limited to those cases where the client is interested in seeking a collaborative, non-litigated resolution to their cases. If such a resolution is not possible we will do our best to refer clients to counsel who specializes in litigated outcomes but who we are confident will work with our client to explore settlement opportunities including alternative dispute resolution.
Phinney Estate Law is a member of the International Alliance of Holistic Lawyers and is working to develop a chapter of the IAHL in Washington State to increase awareness of the value of holistic law to the general public and our professional colleagues. Phinney Estate Law is the first firm in Washington with a focus on Estate Law that has committed to a holistic approach to all cases. Phinney Estate Law partner, Jamie Clausen, serves as the Treasurer of the King County Bar Association's Collaborative Law Section and Chair of King County Collaborative Law's Civil Practice Group. She is also the founding member of the Quaker Bar Association, a faith based group dedicated to finding peaceful solutions to legal conflict.
To learn more listen to a podcast about our holistic approach from KKNW.
To that end holistic lawyers, while helping client achieve their specific legal goals in each case, also strives to wholly honor and respect the dignity and integrity of each individual; listen intentionally and deeply in order to gain complete understanding of the clients needs; and encourage compassion, reconciliation, forgiveness and healing wherever needed. When ever possible we help clients to achieve a non-litigated resolutions of any disputes that arise. To that end we work to help client find opportunity for resolution in the midst of conflict and encourage the use of mediation and/or collaborative law whenever appropriate.
In the Estate Planning and Disability Planning context, this holistic approach leads us to take the time to learn about clients family dynamics, values, and big picture goals for their families and their biggest concerns for the future. In making plans we work to find solutions that will be the best match to the client. To that end we will work with clients to explore benefits and downsides of any plan option. We also discuss in detail with clients any family conflicts that might be raised by planning decisions and discuss options for avoiding and/or resolving these conflicts.
In addition to drafting legal documents for our clients such as Durable Powers of Attorney, Advance Health Care Directives, Wills, and Trusts, we assist client who are interested in developing non-legal tools such as the drafting of ethical wills, legacy letters, and parenting statements and the development of a legacy plan for during their life.
In the Probate and Trust Administration context, we work with personal representatives to find ways of dealing with creditors and division of assets that both honor the wishes of the deceased and minimize family conflict. We also work with interested clients to find ways to honor the deceased’s legacy individually or collaboratively with their family. If conflict arises we work with clients to find non-litigated solutions whenever possible and are one of the few firms in the state to provide collaborative law representation in this area.
In the Guardianship and Elder Law context, we give great care to allow clients who are ill or disabled to participate in the decision making about their health, home, assets, and lifestyle to the fullest extent possible. In addition setting up needed guardianships for those who have not done sufficient pre-disability planning, we will work with clients to explore the possibilities that may exist to maximize their ability to live as independently as possible.
Our work in the Family Law context and Small Business Law context is limited to those cases where the client is interested in seeking a collaborative, non-litigated resolution to their cases. If such a resolution is not possible we will do our best to refer clients to counsel who specializes in litigated outcomes but who we are confident will work with our client to explore settlement opportunities including alternative dispute resolution.
Phinney Estate Law is a member of the International Alliance of Holistic Lawyers and is working to develop a chapter of the IAHL in Washington State to increase awareness of the value of holistic law to the general public and our professional colleagues. Phinney Estate Law is the first firm in Washington with a focus on Estate Law that has committed to a holistic approach to all cases. Phinney Estate Law partner, Jamie Clausen, serves as the Treasurer of the King County Bar Association's Collaborative Law Section and Chair of King County Collaborative Law's Civil Practice Group. She is also the founding member of the Quaker Bar Association, a faith based group dedicated to finding peaceful solutions to legal conflict.
To learn more listen to a podcast about our holistic approach from KKNW.