Trusts & Estates Paralegal

Job Description Position Summary The Trusts & Estates Paralegal will support attorneys through all phases of estate planning, probate, and trust administration. This role requires a balance of substantive billable work and administrative file management. The ideal candidate takes charge, works independently, and is a detail-oriented professional capable of managing multiple court, tax, and client deadlines while maintaining high-quality work product. This role, featuring direct client contact and hands‑on responsibility during sensitive life transitions, directly impacts the positive outcomes of our clients' matters. This is the perfect position for the professional who really cares and derives a high level of satisfaction from helping people and a "job well done." Preferred Qualifications Education: Bachelor's degree and/or a Paralegal Certificate from an ABA-approved program. Experience: 3-5 years of experience in probate and trust administration (Florida experience strongly preferred). Technical Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, document management, and probate/estate tax software. Abilities: Strong writing and communication skills, ability to bill 1,400 + hours annually, and an understanding of the Florida Probate and Trust Codes and rules of procedure. Compensation and Benefits Salary: Mid‑Level (3-5 years' experience): $60,000 - $75,000 per year. Senior Level (5+ years / High‑Net‑Worth & 706 expertise): $75,000 - $90,000+ per year. PTO Health, dental, vision insurance Life insurance, LTD, STD 401k Core Responsibilities and Duties Substantive & Billable (80-90%) Estate & Trust Administration: Draft pleadings for formal, summary, and ancillary probate administrations. Prepare letters of administration, inventories, and accountings for beneficiaries and courts. Tax Document Preparation: Assist in preparing federal estate tax returns (Form 706). Estate Planning Support: Drafting support for foundational estate planning documents, including Wills, Revocable Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Healthcare Surrogate Designations, and Living Wills. Asset & Funding Coordination: Assist clients with the asset verification and funding process, including drafting change-of-beneficiary forms for financial accounts. Legal Research: Utilize LexisNexis to perform preliminary statutory and case law research regarding probate and trust laws. Administrative & Non-Billable (10-20%) Conflict Checks: Processing new matter intake forms and running conflict-of-interest searches. File Maintenance: Organizing physical or digital client files, maintaining estate planning originals, and ensuring proper saving of correspondence, deeds, and corporate books. Scheduling & Signing Coordination: Coordinating the scheduling of client consultations, document review sessions, and formal estate executions (notarizing and witnessing). Vendor Management: Directing activities of appraisers, asset search vendors, couriers, and copy centers. Performance Indicators Positive, "can-do" attitude and a team-oriented, collaborative approach to professional responsibilities. Accuracy and timeliness of probate court filings and notice publications. Consistent achievement of monthly billable hour targets. Effectiveness in managing sensitive client interactions with empathy and professionalism. Reliability and strict attention to statutory deadlines. Examples of Substantive Legal Work Case & File Management Ensuring Deadline Compliance: Calendaring and tracking court deadlines for creditor claims, inventory filings, final accountings, and tax filing deadlines. Filing: Electronically filing (e-filing) probate petitions, notices, and pleadings via the Florida Courts E‑Filing Portal. Probate & Trust Administration Drafting Pleadings: Assisting with initial drafts of Petitions for Administration, Orders Appointing Personal Representative, Notices to Creditors, and Petitions for Discharge. Asset Marshaling: Contacting financial institutions to gather date‑of‑death values, liquidating estate accounts, and maintaining clear asset logs. #J-18808-Ljbffr