Phinney Estate Law

01/12/2026

It's been a while since we have added anything to our blog because we are still working through a wait list that's too long to even consider actual marketing. However, my fabulous paralegal Erin has asked that I start doing a monthly post answering one of the frequently asked questions she fields, so she has a quick reference to refer folks towards. This one was inspired by a client whose son-in-law in Arizona really, really wanted her to do a TOD deed. Here is why, in Washington State, that is almost always a bad idea.

The short answer is probably not. The long answer is a bit more complicated. First, what is a TOD Deed? A Transfer on Death Deed (TOD deed) is a legal document that allows a property owner to...

06/05/2025

13 years ago, my friend Jeff and I were tasked with coming up with a neighborhood pride event for the PNA small business community to support.

Getting Rainbow Hop off the ground that year was a heavy lift. We had to convince the PNA to not just do a Pride event, but a family-focused Pride event. We had to convince Seattle Pride to support a small neighborhood event outside the core of where Pride events were traditionally held in the city. We had to come up with a name that didn't include any of the verbs already used for children's events in Phinneywood. I think that last one may have been the hardest!

But over the last 13 years, this event has become one of the business communities favorite events and we have more businesses and families attending each year. At this point, it would be impossible for any child to actually go to each booth!

I am excited that my business has a chance to participate and sponsor this event again this year. We will be back with our anti-bullying contracts. It is a chance to teach small children about tolerance, kindness, and the basics of consideration and contract law.

This has been a really hard year for those of us who care about our LGBTQ community. They are facing a lot of real threats and attacks at the Federal level. I think it is more important than ever that we show our neighbors here in our own area that they are seen, loved, and celebrated.

We are very lucky to have strong local and state laws to provide protections that are being rolled back at the federal level. However, it is pretty clear that the Trump administration is not above trying to blackmail communities like ours into turning our backs on the LGBTQ community, communities of color, and our immigrant neighbors by threatening to withhold vital funding if we don't support their agenda. That's this year's Pride all the more important.

Our neighbors need to seem more than ever that we are committed enough to their safety to fight for them, even when that fight comes with costs.

Hope to see lots of local neighbors and kids out and about this Saturday having fun and living their values out loud.

https://www.facebook.com/events/690907090199075/

10/03/2024

My law firm is hiring. Please help me spread the word and let me know if you have a referral.

Phinney Estate Law is looking for a part-time legal assistant to assist with our probate files, helping family members wrap up the affairs of their deceased loved ones. We are a small law firm with two attorneys and two other legal assistants that operate out of a house near Green Lake. Our practice is limited to estate planning, representing personal representatives in non-litigated probates, and doing court-appointed work representing children and disabled adults.

The job would be 25-30 hours a week and, after an initial 6-week training period, would offer flexible hours with the ability to work at least half-time remotely. Anticipated pay would be $24/hour. We are not able to offer health benefits for this position. Experience in a legal office or paralegal training is a plus but not required.

We are looking for a compassionate listener and clear communicator who can help clients experiencing grief navigate the steps they need to take to work through the probate process. A willingness to learn new things, attention to detail, and strong organizational skills are a high priority. Strong writing skills are also crucial. The job also requires a self-starter who is good at time management and prioritization.

Our office uses Microsoft Word and Excel, Asana project management software, Zoom, and Dropbox. Experience with these programs and/or a general comfort with technology are important for the job.

Please send resumés and contact information to Jamie Clausen at [email protected]. For more information, please call our office at (206) 459-1908.

06/03/2023

Anti-bullying contracts at Rainbow Hop today until 1 pm

03/30/2023

As many of you know we have been very busy since the pandemic started. While we currently have capacity to take on new probates and are still serving as court appointed PGALs and Personal Representatives and Trustees, we are no longer able to take on new guardianship cases at this time.

We are still taking new Estate Planning clients, but given our volume of work, we are now booking folks about five months out as we can only take so many intakes each week and still be available for current clients and do a timely turnaround of drafts. We realize that this means folks need to wait an absurdly long time for their first appointment with us, and we apologize for that. We have contact information for attorneys who are less busy and able to meet with clients sooner for those who need that but frankly our who bar is pretty booked up right now due to pandemic era retirements and waits can be long for many of my colleagues.

We also realize that this is the season when many of our past clients with kids who are turning 18 and possibly making plans to go off to college. We advise all parents with kids turning 18 to encourage those kids to have those kids meet with an attorney and prepare durable powers of attorney for health care and for finances so that they can get assistance if they need it in case of a medical emergency. To help facilitate that we are going to be opening up one extra appointment per week for our former clients' young adult children to meet with us about preparing those documents. When calling or emailing for those appointments, please let the office know that you are looking for an appointment for "setting up powers of attorney for a young adult" so can get one of those openings rather than the delayed appointments available for standard full estate planning.

Thanks to all our clients and friends whose referrals have made us this busy. It's gratifying to know you recommend us to those you care about. Sorry we can't get everyone in as early as we would like.

06/03/2022

Hope to see folks tomorrow at Rainbow Hop!

Thank you to our sponsors! Your support will make Rainbow Hop this Sat, June 4 an inclusive, all ages celebration to remember. We can't wait to honor and kick off Month together! 🌈 https://phinneycenter.org/pride22

03/14/2022

The Pandemic continues to be a very busy time for all of us working in Estate Planning, Probate, and Guardianship Law. Phinney Estate Law is continuing to take on new Estate Planning, Probate and...

11/05/2021

We are excited to be able to sponsor this year’s event. Hope to see folks there.

Día de los Mu***os – Day of the Dead Celebration – this Saturday from 11am – 3pm

http://ow.ly/lvLq50GGEef