Kristen Okimaw Founder | Estate Planning, Probate & Trust Lawyer
Kristen Okimaw is the founder of Entrust Law Corporation and a trusted estate planning lawyer in Kelowna, BC. With more than 25 years of legal experience, she helps individuals and families protect what matters most through comprehensive estate planning, probate, estate administration, trusts, disability planning, and related legal services. Kristen also provides guidance in family law matters, helping clients navigate significant life transitions with practical advice and compassion.
Kristen has a gift for making complex legal matters approachable and easy to understand. Whether she is helping a young family prepare their first wills, guiding an executor through the probate and estate administration process, establishing trusts to preserve wealth for future generations, or developing disability planning strategies, she takes the time to understand each client’s unique circumstances and long-term goals.
Her practice includes preparing Wills, Powers of Attorney, and Representation Agreements; establishing Family Trusts and Henson Trusts for vulnerable beneficiaries; advising clients regarding the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) program; obtaining Committeeship Orders for adults who are unable to manage their own affairs and cannot appoint an attorney under a Power of Attorney; and assisting executors and administrators through every stage of the probate and estate administration process. She provides practical guidance on carrying out fiduciary duties, administering estates efficiently, and ensuring that a loved one’s wishes are carried out with care and confidence.
Kristen’s commitment to disability planning is both professional and deeply personal. As the parent of children with diversabilities, she understands firsthand the importance of planning for the future, protecting vulnerable loved ones, and creating legal structures that provide long-term security and peace of mind. This lived experience has inspired a genuine passion for helping families navigate disability planning with empathy, practical guidance, and confidence.
After practising law in Vancouver, Calgary, and Toronto, Kristen returned home to the Okanagan and founded Entrust Law Corporation with a vision of redefining the client experience. Her goal was to combine exceptional legal knowledge with responsive, personalized service. Today, she leads a collaborative team dedicated to delivering trusted legal advice in estate planning, estate administration, real estate, corporate law, and family law.
Kristen believes the best legal planning is proactive. She is passionate about helping clients preserve wealth, protect loved ones, minimize future conflict, and create estate plans that reflect their values and wishes. Clients appreciate her ability to ask the right questions, explain complex legal concepts in plain language, and develop practical legal strategies tailored to their family’s needs. Whether planning for the future or administering the estate of a loved one, clients can rely on Kristen for knowledgeable guidance, compassionate service, and practical solutions every step of the way.
How Kristen Can Help
Kristen regularly assists clients with:
Estate Planning
- Creating comprehensive estate plans
- Preparing Wills, Powers of Attorney, and Representation Agreements
- Incorporating Henson trusts, spousal trusts, or other trust terms into Wills
- Planning for blended families and second marriages
- Updating estate planning documents after major life changes
- Planning for business owners and incorporated professionals
Probate & Estate Administration
- Applying for Grants of Probate and Grants of Administration
- Advising executors and administrators throughout the estate administration process
- Assisting with the collection, transfer, and distribution of estate assets
- Providing guidance on executor duties and fiduciary obligations
- Preparing formal estate accounting, releases and consents
- Passing of Accounts (when a beneficiary disputes the accounts or is unable to approve the accounts)
Fiduciary Services
- Executor and Administrator Services
- Trustee Services
- Power of Attorney Services
Trusts & Disability Planning
- Family Trusts
- Henson Trusts
- Disability Trusts (discretionary and non-discretionary)
- Joint Partner Trusts
- Alter-Ego Trusts
- Long-term planning for vulnerable beneficiaries
Adult Guardianship
- Committeeship applications
- Adult guardianship matters
- Planning for individuals who have lost capacity
- Advising families when a loved one is unable to appoint an attorney under a Power of Attorney
Family Law
- Separation agreements
- Cohabitation and marriage agreements
- Property division
- Uncontested family law matters
You May Benefit from Kristen’s Guidance If You:
- Need a Will, Power of Attorney, or Representation Agreement
- Have been named the Executor of an estate and need guidance through probate
- Want to establish a trust
- Need to protect a loved one receiving Persons with Disabilities (PWD) benefits
- Require a Committeeship application for a family member who has lost capacity
- Want to update their estate plan following marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or retirement
- Need trusted legal advice to protect their family and preserve their legacy
- Need a trusted professional trustee or attorney
Outside the office, Kristen enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, cooking, and travelling. She believes the same thoughtful planning and care that enrich her personal life also guide the way she serves her clients and community.
Areas Of Expertise
Education Click to expand
- LLB, 1999, UBC
Professional Memberships & Affiliations Click to expand
- Law Society of British Columbia (admitted in 2005)
- Law Society of Alberta (admitted in 2000-non practicing status)
- Law Society of Upper Canada (admitted in 2002-non practicing status)
- Member of Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP)
- Secretary, Canadian Bar Association-Wills & Trusts Okanagan Subsection (2014)
- Member, Canadian Bar Association, Wills & Trusts, Elder Law, Family, Commercial & Real Estate, and Business subsections
- Member, Kelowna Estate Planning Society ( 2007 to present)
- Member, Kelowna Bar Association (2009 to present)
Do I need a will in BC?
Yes — without a will, BC's intestacy laws decide how your estate is distributed, which may not reflect your wishes. A will lets you choose your beneficiaries, name a guardian for minor children, and appoint an executor you trust. It also makes the estate administration process significantly smoother for your loved ones.
How much does probate cost in BC?
In BC, probate fees (formally called the Probate Fee) are calculated based on the gross value of the estate. There is no fee on the first $25,000, 0.6% on the value between $25,000 and $50,000, and 1.4% on anything above $50,000. Proper estate planning strategies — such as trusts or joint ownership — can sometimes reduce or eliminate probate fees.
What is an alter ego trust?
An alter ego trust is a type of trust available to individuals aged 65 or older in Canada. It allows you to transfer assets into the trust during your lifetime without triggering immediate tax consequences. The trust can help avoid probate, maintain privacy, and simplify the transfer of assets to your beneficiaries upon death — while you retain full control of the assets during your lifetime.
When should I update my will?
You should review your will any time you experience a major life change — such as marriage, separation or divorce, the birth of a child or grandchild, the death of a beneficiary or executor, a significant change in assets, or a move to a new province or country. As a general rule, it's a good idea to revisit your will every three to five years even if nothing major has changed.