Legal Assistant

Estate & Probate Paralegal / Office Manager Step into a key role where your estate and probate experience drives both the legal work and the success of the firm. About Us Gaggos Flaggman, PLLC is a focused estate planning, probate, and business law firm led by William H. Gaggos. We help clients protect assets, navigate complex matters, and plan with confidence. We are a small, efficient practice that values accuracy, responsiveness, and strong client relationships. About the Position We are seeking a full-time, in-office professional who can operate as both a senior paralegal and the operational backbone of the firm . This is not an entry‑level role. You will step into a busy, active practice and take ownership of both legal work and day‑to‑day office flow. The right person will reduce workload, not require training from scratch. Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week. No remote work. No nights or weekends. About You You bring meaningful, hands‑on experience in estate planning, probate, and trust administration and are confident managing matters independently in a busy practice. You are not learning this work for the first time. You understand the flow of a probate and estate practice, anticipate needs, and step in to keep things moving without constant direction. You are highly organized, detail‑oriented, and proactive, with strong judgment and follow‑through. You take pride in producing polished, accurate work and are comfortable reviewing, editing, and finalizing legal documents at a high level. You are equally capable on the operational side, managing client communication, scheduling, and day‑to‑day workflow with consistency and professionalism. You understand how to balance competing priorities, maintain an organized calendar, and support an attorney in a high‑demand environment. You are someone who takes ownership, communicates clearly, and values being part of a steady, reliable, and well‑run practice. Key Responsibilities Prepare and edit estate planning documents with precision Manage estate and trust administration matters, inside and outside of probate court Open and manage probate estates independently Prepare and record deeds and handle related real estate matters Review and update beneficiary designations and related documents Draft, edit, and finalize client and legal correspondence Ensure all documents are properly formatted and court‑ready Manage incoming calls, client communication, and scheduling Maintain and manage the attorney’s calendar with awareness of court schedules, workload, and realistic timing between commitments Organize and maintain physical and digital files Support daily office operations, including client intake and coordination Handle light administrative tasks and occasional errands as needed Experience Hands‑on experience with Michigan probate processes, including MiFile and filings within Michigan Probate Courts Experience with email filing in Wayne County Probate CourtExperience working with Registers of Deeds and e‑recording deeds and other instruments Experience with corporate and LLC filings through the State of Michigan LARA Experience with all facets of estate and trust administration, including completing beneficiary designation forms, preparing and processing change of ownership documentation, fiduciary account reporting, transitioning from revocable to irrevocable trust administration, and administration within probate court Qualifications 7+ years of experience in estate planning, probate, and/or trust administration Demonstrated ability to open and manage probate estates independently Proficiency in Microsoft Word, including formatting, styles, and document structure Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook for email and calendar management Advanced proficiency in Adobe Acrobat Pro, including editing and finalizing legal documents Experience with HotDocs or the ability to independently produce comparable document work product Strong attention to detail, organization, and follow‑through Comfortable and efficient typing skills, approximately 55+ CWPM Compensation and Schedule $80,000 - $100,000 per year, depending on experience Full‑time, 40 hours, Monday through Friday A 32‑hour schedule, Monday through Thursday, may be considered for the right candidate, with salary prorated accordingly Benefits Paid sick time and flexible scheduling when needed Paid holidays, including July 4th, Christmas, New Year’s, and select additional days Paid vacation: 10 days after year 1 15 days after year 2 20 days after 5 years Unpaid time off with advance notice Small, supportive office environment where your work has direct impact Work Environment This is a quiet, professional office with a mix of client interaction and focused work time. Ideal for someone who values both independence and consistency. #J-18808-Ljbffr