Paralegal - Estate Planning & Administration

Job Description

Job Description

Job description:

McCuiston Law Offices is seeking a highly motivated Estate Planning Paralegal who can produce quality work in our dynamic, fast-paced environment. We are a small firm where paralegals work closely with attorneys and play a key role in delivering high-quality client service. Our tight-knit team currently comprises two attorneys, two legal assistants, and two experienced paralegals.

To be successful, above all, the candidate must have critical thinking skills, have impeccable writing skills, and expansive problem-solving abilities. In addition, the ideal candidate must be hyper-organized and able to work independently, manage time, and have acute attention to detail. Of course, we allow room for some fun along the way, but our small team necessitates focused work to achieve the output our clients have come to expect.

This position will also have the benefit of training time with the firm’s semi-retired estate planning paralegal (with 20+ years’ experience) and estate administration paralegal (25+ years’ experience).

This is a full-time position, but part-time status (30+ hours) will be considered for candidates with at least five years of paralegal experience in estate planning. This is not a remote position, and presence is required for client meetings, document signings, and team collaboration.

If you are passionate about helping people, thrive in a demanding environment, and possess the below requirements and preferred qualifications, we look forward to reviewing your application!

Responsibilities

Estate Planning (approximately 70%)

• Drafting Wills, Trust Agreements, and Powers of Attorney.
• Preparing and managing client correspondence and legal documents for timely execution.
• Retrieving deed information through various Register of Deed resources.
• Communicating via phone and email, ensuring all required information is collected.
• Organizing and maintaining accurate client files (digital and physical) to effectuate 60-day signing goals.
• Coordinate printing, execution, notarization, and filing of legal documents.

Estate Administration (approximately 10%)

• Drafting estate administration petitions, probate pleadings, inventories, accountings, and related correspondence.
• Preparing and managing filings and client correspondence for probate, qualification of the personal representative, notices to heirs and creditors, and court deadlines.
• Retrieving and reconciling asset and debt information, including financial statements, beneficiary designations, titles, deeds, and vehicle records.
• Communicating with personal representatives, heirs, beneficiaries, financial institutions, and courts to collect required information and coordinate filings and distributions.
• Organizing and maintaining accurate estate administration files (digital and physical), tracking statutory deadlines, creditor periods, and required court submissions.
• Coordinating qualification, notice, inventory, and accounting filings with the Clerk of Court; arranging publication of notice to creditors; and coordinating distributions and closing documents.

Corporate (approximately 10%)

• Drafting and filing Articles of Organization (Incorporation) with the NC Secretary of State.
• Drafting legal documents, predominantly corporate and LLC notebook documents.
• Obtaining client EIN through IRS website and preparing other IRS forms.
• Communicating with clients to retrieve information and forward documents.

General and Administrative (approximately 10%)

• Tracking time entries and assisting with billing review, including reviewing and editing client billing statements.
• Receiving new client intake forms and answering phone calls.
• Supporting the work of firm’s legal assistants, as required.
• Tracking deadlines and managing attorney calendars as they relate to upcoming deadlines and appointments.
• Maintaining accurate timekeeping records in law practice management software.

Tax Controversy

• Not expected, but a successful applicant with an accounting background will be trained.

Requirements

• Superb written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Adobe Acrobat.
• Project Management with proven results.
• Acute attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with minimal supervision.
• Certified as Notary Public or willing to gain certification.

Preferred Qualifications

• Paralegal training or experience in estate planning or estate administration; strong candidates with excellent skills and a relevant degree are encouraged to apply even if they do not have all preferred qualifications.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Preference may be given to those with focused studies in English, Journalism, or other writing-focused studies.
• Experience with law firm billing and billing software, including QuickBooks.
• Familiarity with cloud-based law practice management programs, including CosmoLex.
• Accounting degree or background – not required, but a plus.
• A cover letter and/or writing samples is not required for this position but will be favorable when considering applications.

Compensation

• $25-$35/hour, commensurate with experience and skills.
• Opportunity for compensation exceeding target range for paralegal who demonstrates:
• A high degree of dedication, evidenced by client output and billable hours.
• Ability to improve law firm management and efficiency.
• Willingness to learn our practice areas, especially tax controversy, and shows an aptitude in these areas.
• Additional consideration given for experience in tax, accounting, and IRS representation.

Benefits

• Paid vacation and federal holidays
• 401(k) with employer match
• Paid NC State dues and required CLE (if applicable)
• Summer hours: Fridays off or half-days (June–August)
• Tuition support for relevant coursework
• Career advancement opportunities
• Convenient location in Cary, NC with ample parking and nearby amenities.

McCuiston Law Offices, PLLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Free parking
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement

Application Question(s):

• How many years have you worked in a law firm? If never, so note. If so, explain areas of experience. The more detail you provide of relevant experience, the more likely your application will be considered.
• Provide examples of your ability to synthesize information in drafting documents. If you have an example work product, please provide.
• Certain individuals have internal motivation and drive. They are always looking for something to do and always find things to work on. Do you have these character traits? Explain in detail.
• We receive a large volume of applications; what would you say separates you from the crowd?

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

McCuiston Law Offices, PLLC is a small, busy firm practicing in estate planning and administration, business law, and tax controversy, serving Cary and Western Wake County since 2001.

Company Description

McCuiston Law Offices, PLLC is a small, busy firm practicing in estate planning and administration, business law, and tax controversy, serving Cary and Western Wake County since 2001.