Probate Legal Assistant / Probate Paralegal

Position Overview McFarland, Gould, Lyons, Sullivan & Hogan, P.A. is seeking an experienced Probate Legal Assistant or Probate Paralegal to join our growing team. For more than 80 years, our firm has been committed to providing exceptional legal representation while building lasting relationships with our clients and our community. We are looking for an experienced probate professional who is passionate about helping families navigate the probate and trust administration process with compassion, professionalism, and attention to detail. The ideal candidate has prior experience working in a Florida law firm handling Summary Administration, Formal Administration, and Trust Administration matters from opening through closing. While a paralegal certificate or designation is certainly a plus, it is not required. Our priority is finding someone with strong probate experience who will become an integral part of our team. What You’ll Do As a Probate Legal Assistant / Probate Paralegal, you will work closely with the Probate Attorney and Probate Department Manager to provide comprehensive administrative and legal support throughout the probate and trust administration process. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Partner with the Probate Attorney and Probate Department Manager to ensure probate and trust administration matters progress efficiently from initial client intake through final closing. Support the Probate Department Manager with new client onboarding, file opening, workflow coordination, case management, and overall department operations. Independently manage an assigned caseload of probate matters while maintaining organization, accuracy, and compliance with court deadlines and firm procedures. Prepare, review, and organize probate pleadings, petitions, notices, inventories, accountings, trust administration documents, correspondence, and other legal documents. Prepare and electronically file pleadings and supporting documents with Florida probate courts while monitoring matters through completion. Maintain complete and organized electronic and physical client files. Communicate professionally and compassionately with clients, beneficiaries, financial institutions, court personnel, and other third parties throughout the administration process. Coordinate the collection and review of documents necessary to administer estates and trusts, including financial records, asset information, creditor documentation, and official records. Assist with trust and estate administration accounting and related financial tracking. Monitor court deadlines, attorney calendars, and case progression to ensure matters remain on schedule. Conduct legal and factual research using court databases, official records, and other available resources. Collaborate with attorneys and staff across the firm to provide exceptional client service. Proactively identify issues, communicate potential concerns, and recommend solutions to keep matters moving forward efficiently. Assist with special projects and additional duties that support the success of the Probate Department. Qualifications Minimum of 2–3 years of recent Florida probate law firm experience Experience handling Summary Administration, Formal Administration, and Trust Administration Strong understanding of Florida probate procedures and court filing requirements Excellent organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail Strong written and verbal communication skills Ability to prioritize multiple matters while meeting deadlines Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Excel), Adobe Acrobat, and general office technology Preferred Florida Registered Paralegal (FRP), Certified Paralegal, or Paralegal Certificate Experience with Clio or other legal case management software Experience with estate and trust administration accounting Experience with electronic court filing systems Who You Are You are a proactive, dependable, and solutions-oriented professional who takes pride in producing high-quality work. You communicate effectively, work well both independently and as part of a team, and understand the importance of organization, accuracy, and follow-through. Most importantly, you recognize that probate clients are often navigating one of the most difficult periods of their lives. You provide compassionate, responsive service while helping families move through the legal process with confidence and care. Compensation & Benefits We offer competitive compensation based on experience, qualifications, and skills. Our comprehensive benefits package includes: Health insurance Dental insurance Vision insurance Paid Time Off (PTO) Paid holidays Life insurance Short-term disability insurance Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Professional development and continuing education opportunities #J-18808-Ljbffr Mcfarland,-Gould,-Lyons,-Sullivan-