Associate Attorney (Trusts & Estates)

Job Description

Job Description

We are looking for an Associate Attorney (Trusts & Estates) to join a respected legal team in Modesto, California. This role focuses on guiding individuals and families through estate planning and trust administration with thoughtful legal counsel and precise document preparation. The attorney will work directly with clients and alongside internal and external professionals to deliver practical solutions related to wealth transfer, fiduciary matters, and long-term planning.

Responsibilities:
• Create and refine comprehensive estate planning instruments, including trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and advance health care directives tailored to client objectives.
• Advise clients on strategies involving wealth preservation and transfer, with attention to gift, estate, and generation-skipping tax considerations.
• Oversee trust administration matters from initial review through final distribution, ensuring timely progress and legal compliance.
• Provide guidance to trustees, executors, fiduciaries, and beneficiaries on duties, rights, and issues arising during estate and trust administration.
• Prepare transfer-related documentation and recommend appropriate asset funding steps to align plans with client intentions.
• Partner with attorneys, paralegals, accountants, financial professionals, and other advisors to support coordinated client service.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships while contributing to the firm’s outreach and business development efforts.
• Support related dispute matters as needed through legal research, motion drafting, briefing, and discovery activities.• Active license to practice law and good standing with the applicable state bar.
• Demonstrated experience in trusts and estates, including estate planning and estate or trust administration.
• Strong drafting skills for legal documents, correspondence, and client-facing planning materials.
• Knowledge of tax-sensitive planning concepts related to wealth transfer and fiduciary representation.
• Ability to manage multiple matters independently while maintaining accuracy and responsiveness.
• Comfortable collaborating with clients and advisors who pay close attention to detail in a team-oriented legal environment.
• Experience with litigation support tasks such as motions, briefing, or discovery is valued.
• Clear communication skills and sound judgment when advising clients on complex personal and financial matters.