WEL Partners - Toronto, Ontario

Peter M.

Kimberly (Kim) A. Whaley is one of Canada’s premier litigator/ lawyer in the practice areas of litigation and mediation of estate, trust and capacity proceedings, power of attorney, guardianship matters and elderly law. Kim is the founding partner of the law firm, Whaley Estate Litigation Partners (WEL Partners). Above all else, Kim is a highly regarded teacher/mentor.

Long before I met Kim in person, I had heard about a speech she had given that caught my attention. It was on the topic of the fractured family which is quickly becoming the norm – it was at a Law Society of Upper Canada conference. Kim’s presentation spoke directly to the issue of estate litigation in complex, blended and fractured families. She had stated that traditional blood-related families have well aligned interests which is not the case in the fractured family. In fact, she suggests in these families there are no longer a need for personal conflict to set parties against each other. After hearing of this speech and her recommended remedies, I wrote an article referencing Kim and her presentation for my column in LexisNexis’ CPA trade paper - The Bottom Line.

I finally met Kim in person when she was the 2013, Chair of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners’ of the Toronto Chapter. However, it was through our involvement in the Estate Planning Council of Toronto that I really began to appreciate Kim’s true professional expertise. What first struck me about Kim is she is very collegial with her peers and is passionate about the area of estate law that she and her firm practice and excel in.

When I was a university instructor teaching estate planning, I found reading the books that Kim had either written or co-authored very valuable for future and current trust and estate planning practitioners. Such as her - "Key Developments in Estate and Trust Law in Ontario.” Her chapter in "Passings of Accounts,” and her book - “Capacity to Marry and the Estate Plan.”

I have a deep appreciation and admire the time Kim has committed to giving back to both the legal and estate and trust professional communities by teaching the next generation of lawyers at Queen's University and the University of Toronto, as well as Osgoode, and her many contributions to continuing legal educational programs for these professionals across Canada and North America.

Kimberly A. Whaley is a committed Trust and Estate Litigation Lawyer that both her colleagues and clients continually benefit from by having her on their team. Everyone that has worked with Kim is a better professional and a satisfied client knowing that she gives 100% of her mentorship and expertise in everything that she has committed herself to.

Charles W.

I believe in saying thank you – even if it’s to a competitor. In researching the law on a nuanced area in estate litigation I found the answer in one of Kim’s articles. That’s not a surprise. Wel Partners’ is an excellent website for those doing legal research in Wills, Trusts and Estates. Their presentation of issues is clear and the authors’ review of relevant statutes and case law is thorough. I am not the only one who appreciates their analysis. In Furtney Estate v. Furtney the court seems to have adopted Professor Oosterhoff’s reasoning when coming to his decision. In today’s legal world students, lawyers and judges look online to educate themselves on current legal issues. As someone who blogs quite a bit, I appreciate a site that excels.

Cory P.

Matthew Rendely is an awesome lawyer. He was very direct and got directly to the issue. I have been to other lawyers and I really appreciate his concern for his clients and to process their cases as efficiently as possible. Thanks, Matthew.

Charles W.

I am impressed by the articles published by this firm. They are well researched and provide a thorough review of the topics addressed. I often include her articles in the brief authorities I present in court. Even when Kim and I compete for the same files I acknowledge to prospective clients that Kim is an extremely competent advocate, worthy adversary and legal scholar.

Kelly H. L.

A friend had refer me to Wel Partners- They are a litigation firm (meaning they can represent you in court, if needed).
Kim, Lua and Tracy are looking after my case. Although at first it was very hard for me to understand the law terms language that they used when talking to me. But they patiently explain and make things more clearer for me to understand.
They have been very helpful, which help makes me feel better that I am being legally protected. Even through its covid time, but they are working and reply quickly.

April, 2020 was a devastating year as I lost my common law spouse due to an expected death.
I never experienced a death of a family member before and I never knew the legal complications that comes after his passing without a written Will.
As he took care of handling all the paper stuff for our home, it’s hard for me to pickup the pieces now. On top of that, I have to deal with his family, who were never part of our lives, over his ashes and estate, which makes it even harder, while going through the mourning of his death.

Here are feedback from what I learn.
1. If you don’t understand english well like me (and I mean legal law language terms) find friends or government services to help you. Legal law terms are nothing like everyday speaking. And this is not common sense. It is knowledge.
2. Find a lawyer firm that handles everything, even go to court (Which is called Litigation, a new term I learn from this experience. )
If you find a regular lawyer, you will end up wasting your money and have to hire a litigation lawyer. Through my experience, I realize lawyer fees are very expensive. But it has to be done. So learn to budget yourself.
There is a $10,000 retainer fee when hiring a lawyer. I didn’t understand this at the beginning but now I do. So don’t be shocked when you hear this. This is normal for all the firm I have asked.
3. Be prepared to expect that it may take a long time. 2-3 years if it has to go to court.
4. Communicate in your lawyer in what you do. Even if it will cost you money every time. But you are responsible for your decision. So make sure you understand clearly.
4. Let your lawyer represent you. It is all legal matters now.
5. Ask and let your lawyer know everything that you do. Don’t hold things back from them. You hire them to protect you. So they need to know.
6. Just like any relationship. You never knew your lawyer before. So its hard not to have doubts or misunderstandings due to miscommunication. Clear communication is the key.
6. Lawsuits are never easy. It is hard to do so when you are going through a death of a loved one. But try to stay strong and calm.

It has been 8 months and it may still be a long way to go.
I never expected to be in this situation but I guess that is life. I will write a followup review when my case is over. If you want to know and learn from my experience for you own knowledge, you can watch my review on youtube @ Kellyhongle.
I wish someone out there had share these information with me so I wouldn’t have to learn it like this while going through mourning. But we live and learn so I hope you can learn from mine and avoid headaches for yourself if it ever happens to you.

dominique S.

Kim and her team are professional, and have an exceptional knowledge of the law. She is fantastic and backed by an unparalleled team of legal professionals who genuinely care about representing your best interest as a person, not just a “client”.

Philip P.

Matthew Rendely is one of Toronto’s up and coming estate litigators. He works hard to represent his clients’ best interests and maintains an excellent reputation for himself and WEL Partners.

Gibrian M.

Kim Whaley successfully mediated an estate litigation matter. She was experienced, knowledgeable, sincere, and a good communicator. Highly recommended!