Estate Administration Paralegal

The Estate Administration Paralegal is the professional in the firm with whom the family and any other party will have the most personal contact upon the death of a client. The Estate Administration Paralegal is responsible for helping clients administer their trust estate, collecting any fees due, and offering additional services of the firm. The Estate Administration Paralegal gives a lasting impression of the firm’s image.

Skills

It is vital that this person be warm, friendly, professional, courteous, poised, confident and sympathetic, as well as energetic, intelligent, detail and team-oriented. Excellent word processing, spelling and grammar skills required. Typing 55+ wpm. Familiarity with whichever word processor and spreadsheet programs your office is using. Strong organizational and time-management skills. Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment under the pressure of multiple deadlines. Dedication to accuracy and on-time performance. Strong customer service background in a brokerage, financial planning or accounting environment. Familiarity with investment assets and taxes a plus. Notary required. Non-smoker preferred.

 

Duties

 

• Open the file and prepare documentation per the firm’s procedure.
• Send initial correspondence and a Sympathy Card, as appropriate.
• Perform or arrange for asset valuation when appropriate.
• Prepare appropriate documents as information is received from the client, including asset lists, trust allocation to A/B Trusts, A/B/C Trusts, or to Beneficiaries. Prepare any necessary Probate documents, Federal and State Tax forms and other returns.
• Prepare Affidavits of Death and other appropriate Deeds.
• Review all documents after they are prepared.
• Set client-specific deadlines and follow up diligently with the collection of information with the goal of completing the client’s file on time. This self-directed person should work independently, with little guidance required by the Attorney.
• Look for additional legal service opportunities which arise during the course of the relationship with the clients, and helps clients obtain them. These include, but are not limited to, changes in the client’s estate plan, power of attorney documents, and estate planning services for the surviving family members who do not currently have a plan.
• Attend Closing Meeting with Attorney, and arrange for witnessing and/or notary services when required.
• After Closing Meeting, close file per firm’s procedure.
• Make appropriate database entries as each stage is completed.
• Prepare weekly status report to discuss with Attorney.
• Participate in weekly staff meetings, which includes providing input to law firm operations and procedures.
• Provide input to estate planning paralegal for new or revised estate planning documents.
• Additional duties as assigned by supervising Attorney.

Please email your resume to ------------ with the re line “Estate Administration Paralegal”