Job Title: Paralegal - Trusts & Estates
Job Responsibilities:
The Paralegal in the Trusts & Estates department is responsible for a comprehensive range of estate planning tasks. This includes providing assistance to the law firm's attorneys and senior paralegals in managing estates, funding revocable and irrevocable trusts, preparing necessary documents, and handling client case management. Key responsibilities include:
- Preparing and assisting with the preparation of Gift Tax Returns, Estate Tax Returns, and Fiduciary Income Tax Returns.
- Maintaining financial records of trusts, performing trust accounting, and auditing accounts.
- Maintaining General Ledger accounts, reconciling broker statements, and preparing payables and bank deposits.
- Obtaining and reconciling 1099 and K-1 statements.
- Administering revocable and irrevocable trusts both pre and post death.
- Handling probate administration, including drafting probate pleadings.
- Maintaining close personal contact with clients and financial advisors.
- Meeting an annual billable hour requirement of 1500 hours.
- Developing technical proficiency in database use and management, internet/electronic research, and project folder/electronic file maintenance.
- Independently organizing and managing files or delegating similar tasks to a Records Clerk and supervising the same.
- Sustaining attention to detail and quality of work.
- Delivering superior service to all internal and external customers and communicating effectively.
- Interacting in a professional and courteous manner with clients and employees at all times, maintaining a professional appearance.
- Successfully performing position requirements with excellent organizational, time-management, and prioritization skills.
- Working collaboratively within a team and adapting to changing business demands.
- Producing an acceptable amount of work efficiently and accurately, ensuring a quality final work product.
Education and Experience Information:
- A minimum of 5 years of Trusts & Estates experience is preferred.
- A two-year degree is required. A Bachelor’s degree or a Paralegal certificate from an ABA-approved program is preferred. However, significant, substantive related experience may be considered in lieu of formal education.
- Excellent communication, analytical, and organizational skills are essential.
- Proven success in working in a fast-paced, continually changing environment is required.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications is necessary.
- Familiarity with tax and trust accounting software such as GEMS, BNA, ProSystems, and EVP is preferred.
- Experience with document database programs and/or software is beneficial.
- Significant client case management experience is required.
- Exceptional attention to detail is necessary.
- The ability to interact effectively and professionally, providing exceptional service, both internally and externally, at all times is crucial.
- The candidate must be highly organized, able to prioritize workflow, and manage projects.
- The ability to perform effectively with little or no supervision and within established time limits and ongoing deadlines is required.
Salary Information:
The text does not provide specific salary information for the Paralegal - Trusts & Estates position.
Note: The above description outlines the general content and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive statement of essential functions, responsibilities, or requirements. The law firm will provide reasonable accommodations as necessary to allow an individual with a disability to apply for and/or perform the essential functions of a position.
