Personal & Family

Family and Succession Law

The practice area

About Family and Succession Law

Family and succession matters call for sensitivity, strategy and an approach that respects the complexity of human relationships. We handle marriage planning, the formalisation of civil partnerships, custody arrangements and the organisation of assets.

Our role goes beyond representation in disputes: we advise, prevent and build solutions that respect the feelings and the rights of everyone involved, working both preventively and in litigation, with a focus on agreements and practical outcomes.

  • Succession planning, family holding companies and probate
  • Custody, visitation and maintenance
  • Divorce, civil partnership and matrimonial property regimes

Family and Succession Law services

Choose a service to learn more.

Why engage us

Why engage a specialist family and succession lawyer?

We offer both preventive and contentious representation, with a focus on agreements and practical solutions.

Personal and confidential service

Solutions that preserve family bonds

Confidence in organising your assets

Our Family and Succession Law services

Succession Planning and Family Holding Companies

Structuring assets during your lifetime to reduce succession disputes and bring predictability to the transfer of property.

Probate and Division of the Estate

Handling judicial and out-of-court probate, organising and dividing the estate among the heirs.

Custody, Visitation and Maintenance

Settling child custody, visitation arrangements and maintenance, always with the child's best interests in view.

Divorce and Civil Partnership

Handling divorce, separation, civil partnerships, prenuptial agreements and the review of matrimonial property regimes.

Specialist legal practice

Who can handle your case

Maria Amélia Doering

Maria Amélia Doering

OAB/RS 9.888 · In memorian · Direito de Família e Sucessões

Founding Partner with 45 years of experience in real estate law and family and succession law.

Amanda Paes

Amanda Paes

OAB/RS 115.304 · Direito de Família e Sucessões

Attorney, Head of the firm's Family and Succession practice.

Gabriela Bertol

Gabriela Bertol

OAB/RS 125.332 · Direito de Família e Sucessões

Attorney practising in family and succession law.

Manuela Cavalheiro

Manuela Cavalheiro

Trainee · Family and Succession Law

Trainee in the firm's Family and Succession practice.

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions about Family and Succession Law

What does a family and succession lawyer do?
Works on organising assets, succession planning, child custody, maintenance, divorce and probate, both preventively and in litigation.
When should I seek a family lawyer?
Whenever you need to formalise a marriage or civil partnership, organise the succession of your assets, settle child custody or face a divorce.
What is a family holding company and when does it make sense?
It is a corporate structure for organising assets during your lifetime, reducing succession disputes and bringing more predictability to the transfer of property.
Can probate be settled without going to court?
Yes. Where the heirs agree and there is no will or heir lacking capacity, probate can be carried out out of court, before a notary.
How is child custody decided in a divorce?
Joint custody is the preferred arrangement, unless it would not serve the child's best interests, taking account of routine, emotional bonds and each parent's availability.

Doering & Darcie

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