Business Details
34 Years
experience
Wills & Estates Legal Services in Whitby, ON
Jenkins, Newman & Shipley Law Professional has been dedicated to Wills and Estates law since its founding in 1992. Our team of specialized attorneys provides comprehensive legal services including estate planning, probate administration, and litigation. With over three decades of collective experience, we prioritize personalized client care and deep expertise in navigating complex estate matters.Our local presence in Durham Region allows us to build meaningful relationships while maintaining a boutique focus on this specialized legal field. We emphasize proactive planning to honor client legacies and minimize family disputes, supported by our active involvement in legal education and community initiatives.
Services
Estate Planning
Probate Administration
Wills & Powers of Attorney
Estate Litigation
Guardianship Applications
Passing of Accounts
Details
- Year established: 1992
Highlights and features
- We exclusively focus on Wills and Estates law with 33+ years of regional experience.
- Our team includes published legal experts and former law instructors.
- We offer personalized guidance for complex estate planning needs.
- We maintain transparent communication throughout the legal process.
- We actively contribute to community legal education initiatives.
Services
Estate Planning
We create customized estate plans to protect assets and ensure client wishes are honored. Our services include wills, trusts, and power of attorney documents tailored to individual family dynamics. With expertise in blended family planning and charitable giving, we help clients achieve long-term peace of mind through comprehensive legal strategies.
Probate Administration
Our team guides executors through the probate process with clear, step-by-step support. We handle court filings, asset distribution, and tax compliance while minimizing delays. With deep knowledge of Ontario estate law, we help families settle estates efficiently while maintaining sensitivity to emotional circumstances.
Estate Litigation
We resolve contested estates through strategic legal representation. Our approach prioritizes early resolution while preparing for courtroom advocacy when necessary. Specializing in dependent relief claims and executor disputes, we protect client interests in complex, high-conflict estate matters while maintaining professional decorum.
Guardianship Applications
We streamline guardianship processes for families caring for incapacitated loved ones. Our services include capacity assessments, court documentation, and legal representation. We focus on creating stable caregiving frameworks while ensuring compliance with provincial health and welfare regulations.
Passing of Accounts
We provide expert guidance for trustee accounting requirements. Our services include preparing detailed financial records and representing clients during court reviews. We emphasize transparency and compliance to help trustees fulfill their duties while minimizing personal liability risks.
People
Sarah Shipley
Attorney
Sarah Shipley specializes in Wills and Estates law with over 15 years of experience. Called to the Ontario bar in 2009, she contributes to legal education initiatives and serves on the Bowmanville Hospital Planned Giving Committee. She focuses on estate planning and charitable giving.
Jennifer Jenkins
Counsel
Jennifer Jenkins co-founded the firm in 1992 and specializes in estate litigation. With 40+ years of legal experience, she authored the Thomson Reuters publication on estate trustee duties and served on Alzheimer Society boards. She now mentors junior attorneys while advising complex cases.
Sandra Smith
Attorney
Sandra Smith joined the firm in 2023, bringing expertise in estate litigation and complex planning. A former law professor with international legal experience, she handles dependent relief claims and serves on Durham College's Paralegal Program. Her background includes corporate and environmental law.
Questions
What areas of law do you specialize in?
We exclusively practice Wills, Estates, and Probate law, covering estate planning, probate administration, litigation, guardianship, and trust accounting.
How can I start creating an estate plan?
Contact us for a consultation to discuss your assets, family situation, and wishes. We'll guide you through wills, trusts, and power of attorney documents tailored to your needs.
What happens during the probate process?
We help executors file necessary documents, settle debts, distribute assets, and obtain court approval. Our team simplifies this complex process while ensuring legal compliance.
Do you handle contested wills?
Yes, we represent clients in estate litigation matters including will challenges, executor disputes, and dependent relief claims with a focus on resolution.
Are your services available outside Durham Region?
While based in Durham, we serve clients across Ontario through virtual consultations and court representation in multiple jurisdictions.
Reviews (1)
J. D.
Mar 30, 2021
Report
Getting out affairs in order was a pleasure with this team. They definitely assisted with keeping my husband and I sorted on our priorities and the things we needed to get figured out. You never realize just how much you need the guidance of a trained professional, when sorting through these matters.
Note: I am just getting caught up on some of this wonderful technology stuff. Another company we had dealt with was really nice in asking us for a review and I thought it only fair to share our other recent experiences. Hope this was helpful.
Note: I am just getting caught up on some of this wonderful technology stuff. Another company we had dealt with was really nice in asking us for a review and I thought it only fair to share our other recent experiences. Hope this was helpful.
