Business Details
44 Years
experience
Trusted Family Lawyer in Victoria, BC
With over 43 years of dedicated practice in family law, I have built a reputation for guiding clients through complex legal challenges with compassion and pragmatism. My focus on collaborative family law and mediation allows clients to resolve disputes without the emotional and financial toll of court proceedings. As founder of the Collaborative Family Law Group in Victoria, I prioritize solutions that protect clients' rights while minimizing conflict. My practice encompasses divorce, separation agreements, cohabitation agreements, parenting arrangements, child and spousal support, and estate planning.Backed by extensive experience as a mediator, former adjunct professor at the University of Victoria, and active member of legal associations, I provide tailored legal strategies that balance empathy with expertise. The office remains committed to accessible, client-centered service, ensuring individuals and families achieve outcomes that support their emotional and financial well-being.
Services
Family Law
Divorce Mediation
Collaborative Law
Wills
Power of Attorney
Details
- Year established: 1982
Highlights and features
- We have 43 years of dedicated family law experience in Victoria.
- Our practice focuses on non-adversarial collaborative law methods.
- We offer privacy-focused solutions that avoid public court proceedings.
- Our team includes certified mediators and legal educators.
- We provide flexible appointment options including evenings and weekends.
Associations and certifications
- International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
What people say
Compassionate approach
Grateful for the process
Regained control
Professional service
Breath again
Services
Family Law
Specialized family law services address divorce, separation agreements, parenting arrangements, and financial support matters. With 43 years of experience, the practice offers strategic counsel to navigate complex legal issues while prioritizing client well-being. Services emphasize conflict resolution through mediation and collaborative law approaches.
Divorce Mediation
Mediation services facilitate cooperative divorce settlements without court intervention. The process reduces costs and emotional strain while maintaining privacy. Certified mediators guide parties toward mutually acceptable agreements on asset division, child custody, and support arrangements through structured negotiations.
Collaborative Law
Collaborative law provides a team-based approach to resolve family disputes amicably. Lawyers, financial advisors, and mental health professionals work together to create customized solutions. This method preserves relationships while achieving legally binding agreements on parenting plans, property division, and financial matters.
Wills
Comprehensive will drafting services ensure clients' wishes are legally protected. The process includes reviewing personal circumstances, family dynamics, and financial assets to create clear directives for estate distribution. Services also address living wills and updates for changing marital status.
Power of Attorney
Power of attorney documentation establishes legal authority for decision-making in incapacity scenarios. Services cover financial and healthcare directives, ensuring clients' interests are protected through personalized legal frameworks that comply with British Columbia regulations.
People
Klassen Robert J
Family Lawyer
Practicing family law in Victoria for 43 years, Robert specializes in collaborative law and mediation. Called to the BC bar in 1979, he founded the Victoria Collaborative Family Law Group and teaches at the University of Victoria. His approach prioritizes client well-being through non-adversarial solutions.
Gloria Cheung
Legal Assistant
Gloria provides administrative support to clients throughout their legal processes. With extensive experience in family law documentation and client communication, she ensures smooth coordination of appointments, document preparation, and case management activities.
Questions
What family law services do you offer?
We provide divorce mediation, collaborative law, separation agreements, parenting arrangements, child/spousal support, wills, and power of attorney services with a non-adversarial approach.
How does collaborative family law work?
Collaborative law uses team-based negotiations with lawyers, financial advisors, and mediators to resolve disputes privately without court involvement, focusing on mutual solutions for family transitions.
Do you offer mediation services?
Yes, we provide certified mediation services for divorce and family law matters, helping parties reach binding agreements through structured negotiations while maintaining privacy and control.
Why create a will?
A properly drafted will ensures your estate is distributed according to your wishes, avoiding BC's default succession rules and providing clear directives for family and financial matters.
