Trust and Estates Paralegal

Trust and Estates Paralegal Job Description

Burlingame, CA – Full-Time, On-Site / Potential for Hybrid

We are seeking an experienced PARALEGAL to join our Burlingame office to support a sophisticated trust and estate administration practice serving high-net-worth individuals and families.

This role offers substantive responsibility, significant client interaction, and the opportunity to work on complex estate structures. The ideal candidate is highly organized, proactive, and thrives in a fast-paced environment while delivering exceptional service with empathy and discretion.

We highly value professionalism, teamwork, and a client-first approach. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with attorneys, staff, clients, and their professional advisors while maintaining the highest standards of service and confidentiality.

Key Responsibilities

• Meet with clients, trustees, and family members
• Communicate with beneficiaries and coordinate with allied advisors (accountants, financial planners, etc.)
• Draft correspondence, legal documents, deeds, and probate pleadings
• Prepare asset spreadsheets, final allocation and distribution documents
• Prepare federal estate tax returns (Form 706) and gift tax returns (Form 709)
• Review bank statements and financial documents
• Notarize documents and maintain organized client files
• Support all aspects of trust administration and probate proceedings

Qualifications (education, training, experience)

• Minimum 3 years of solid trust & estate paralegal experience in a law firm (3–5 years strongly preferred)
• Paralegal certificate from an ABA-approved program or equivalent required; Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Demonstrated experience administering trusts after the death of a trustor, including preparation of final allocation and distribution documents
• Strong familiarity with estate and gift tax concepts and preparation of Forms 706 and 709
• Thorough knowledge of the probate process and Judicial Council forms
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage a large caseload, prioritize independently, and meet deadlines
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, proofreading, and mathematical skills
• Clear, concise written and verbal communication skills
• High proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel (intermediate+ level)
• Experience with iManage, Tabs3, Adobe Acrobat, FPS, NumberCruncher (or similar), and Crowther preferred
• Notary Public commission a plus
• Ability to track and meet billable hour expectations

Compensation

• $120,000 – $170,000 per year, depending on experience and qualifications.