Our Professional Guarantees

Family law involves uncertainty. Courts make decisions. Other parties behave unpredictably. Facts evolve. No attorney can control all of that.

We do not guarantee outcomes.

We cannot guarantee that a court will give you everything you want. We cannot guarantee a particular parenting plan, property division, or financial result. We cannot guarantee that litigation will be easy, fast, or emotionally painless. And we cannot guarantee what another person will choose to do.

What we can guarantee is how we practice law.

At Pacific Northwest Family Law, we make the following professional guarantees to every client we represent.

What We Do Not Guarantee

We believe clarity begins with honesty.

We do not guarantee:

A specific court ruling or settlement result
A 50/50 parenting plan
That you will keep a particular asset, including a home or business
That the other side will act reasonably
That the process will feel fair at every moment
That life will be easy or happy after the case ends

Anyone who promises those things is not being truthful.

What We Do Guarantee

We Guarantee Professional Communication

We will communicate clearly and consistently. You will not be left guessing about what is happening in your case or why decisions are being made. We commit to regular updates, plain-language explanations, and responsiveness consistent with the demands of professional legal practice.

We Guarantee Preparation

We do not phone it in.

Your case will be prepared thoughtfully and deliberately. That includes research, factual development, strategic planning, and readiness to act when action is required. Preparation is how we protect children, finances, and futures.

We Guarantee Honest Advice

We will tell you the truth about your case, even when that truth is difficult to hear.

You will receive frank guidance about risks, tradeoffs, costs, and realistic outcomes. We will not substitute reassurance for analysis or encouragement for judgment.

We Guarantee Strategy

We do not pursue aggression for its own sake. We do not avoid conflict when conflict is necessary.

We guarantee that our advocacy will be purposeful, measured, and strategic. Litigation is a tool, not an identity. Settlement is a process, not an ideology. We choose tactics based on what serves your long-term interests, not momentary satisfaction.

We Guarantee Transparency About Cost

You will understand how billing works and how your case is being funded.

We guarantee:

Clear invoices issued regularly
Time entries written for your understanding, not just accounting
A trust ledger provided with each invoice showing how your funds are held and applied
Open conversations about cost drivers and budgeting

Money will not be a mystery.

We Guarantee Accountability

If we make a mistake, we address it. If circumstances change, we revisit strategy. If something is unclear, we explain it.

We take responsibility for our work and our decisions.

We Guarantee Best Efforts and Best Judgment

We can guarantee effort, diligence, and professional judgment informed by experience, training, and preparation. Our commitment is to provide the best chance at success that the law, the facts, and the circumstances allow.

What We Expect in Return

Professional guarantees work best in professional relationships.

We expect clients to:

Communicate honestly
Engage in decision-making
Respect boundaries
Fund their case so work can continue
Participate in good faith

These expectations allow us to do our best work on your behalf.

A Final Word

Family law is difficult because family matters.

Our guarantees are not slogans. They are standards. They reflect how we practice law, how we hold ourselves accountable, and how we protect the trust our clients place in us.

Related Guides

➡ How We Communicate

➡ How Billing Works

➡ Firm Values

Ready to Talk?

If these professional guarantees align with what you are looking for in legal representation, the next step is a New Client Interview.

This conversation is designed to clarify fit, process, and next steps. It is not a consultation for legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Please do not include confidential information. This interview is focused on fit and process.

Reviewed by Attorney Zachary C Ashby, Pacific Northwest Family Law, December 2025