Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Trusted Family Law & Estate Lawyers in Victoria
Stevenson Doell was founded in 1970 and has built a long-standing reputation for excellence in the Victoria community. Our team of highly trained legal professionals works collaboratively with our lawyers to deliver effective and personalized service to every client. We specialize in family law, estate litigation, real estate, and estate planning, serving clients across British Columbia and beyond. Our commitment to quality is reflected in our decades of experience, including landmark cases that have shaped family law in Canada. We prioritize accessibility, offering home, office, and hospital visits, along with free parking and complimentary Wi-Fi for clients. Our office combines historical character with modern functionality, featuring artifacts from our firm's rich history and artwork gifted by satisfied clients.We maintain a strong focus on community involvement, with our lawyers actively participating in legal education and local organizations. Our approach emphasizes direct communication, with live receptionists and in-person consultations to ensure clients feel heard and supported. We pride ourselves on transparent fee structures, including reduced-rate initial consultations for family and estate matters. With a legacy of excellence spanning over 50 years, we continue to uphold the standards of professionalism and client care that have defined our practice since inception.
Services
Family Law
Estate Litigation
Real Estate
Wills and Estates
Estate Administration
Details
- Year established: 1970
Highlights and features
- We have over 50 years of combined legal experience in Victoria's legal community
- Our team includes specialists in family law with landmark case precedents
- We offer reduced-rate $100 initial consultations for family and estate matters
- We provide home, office, and hospital visitation services for client convenience
- Our office maintains historical legal artifacts and artwork from satisfied clients
Services
Family Law
Our family law practice addresses all aspects of relationship breakdowns including custody arrangements, child support calculations, spousal maintenance, and property division. We provide strategic guidance through litigation, mediation, or collaborative processes while prioritizing client needs. Our team prepares legally binding agreements covering separation terms, parenting plans, and prenuptial arrangements.
Estate Litigation
We represent clients contesting will terms or defending challenged estates through probate court proceedings. Our experience includes complex asset disputes, executor responsibilities, and adult guardianship matters under British Columbia's Wills, Estates and Succession Act. We provide strategic representation for estate administrators and beneficiaries.
Wills and Estates
Our estate planning services include drafting wills, living wills, healthcare authorizations, and powers of attorney. We specialize in creating customized estate plans for blended families and complex asset situations. The practice also handles probate applications, trust administration, and disability planning through discretionary trusts.
Real Estate
We handle residential and commercial real estate transactions including purchase/sale agreements, mortgage arrangements, title transfers, and lien removals. Our services cover joint tenancy severance and property registration processes with competitive rate structures for conveyancing matters.
Estate Administration
Our estate administration practice assists executors with probate applications, asset distribution, and account passing requirements. We guide personal representatives through complex estate settlements while managing tax implications and beneficiary communications according to British Columbia's estate laws.
People
Robert C. Doell
Founding Lawyer
Practicing since 1969, Bob Doell is a respected family law specialist with 244 reported cases. He contributed to British Columbia's Family Relations Act and developed the influential Rutherford formula for pension division. Recognized as Queen's Counsel in 1995, he has served as Victoria Golf Club president twice.
Brent J. Kitzke
Partner
With nearly 30 years as Bob Doell's partner, Brent Kitzke handles complex family law matters. He works with associate lawyers and articled students, maintaining the firm's reputation for excellence in Victoria's legal community through collaborative practice approaches.
Mary S. McManus
Lawyer
Mary McManus provides legal services in family law and estate matters. She works with the firm's experienced team to deliver personalized client solutions while maintaining the firm's standards of professional excellence established over five decades.
S. Declan Midwood
Lawyer
Declan Midwood practices in the firm's core areas of family law, estate planning, and real estate transactions. He contributes to the firm's tradition of quality legal representation while working collaboratively with senior partners and support staff.
Questions
What legal services do you specialize in?
We specialize in family law, estate litigation, real estate transactions, and comprehensive estate planning including wills and powers of attorney.
Do you offer free initial consultations?
We offer free initial consultations for personal injury and estate matters, with $100 reduced-rate consultations available for family law matters.
Where do you accept cases?
We serve clients throughout British Columbia, Canada, the United States, and internationally for estate matters requiring our expertise.
Can you meet clients outside your office?
Yes, we offer home, office, and hospital room visits depending on the client's circumstances and legal needs.
What makes your firm unique?
Our firm combines over 50 years of legal experience with historical office artifacts and personalized service from live receptionists.
What payment options are available?
We offer various fee arrangements including hourly rates, flat fees, and percentage-based structures depending on the legal matter involved.
