Position Summary

The Trusts & Estates Paralegal will support attorneys through all phases of estate planning, probate, and trust administration. This role requires a balance of substantive billable work and administrative file management. The ideal candidate takes charge, works independently, and is a detail-oriented professional capable of managing multiple court, tax, and client deadlines while maintaining high-quality work product. This role, featuring direct client contact and hands-on responsibility during sensitive life transitions, directly impacts the positive outcomes of our clients' matters. This is the perfect position for the professional who really cares and derives a high level of satisfaction from helping people and a “job well done.”

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree and/or a Paralegal Certificate from an ABA-approved program.
• Experience: 3–5 years of experience in probate and trust administration (Florida experience strongly preferred).
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, document management, and probate/estate tax software.
• Abilities: Strong writing and communication skills, ability to bill 1,400 + hours annually, and an understanding of the Florida Probate and Trust Codes and rules of procedure.

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary:
• • Mid-Level (3–5 years’ experience): $60,000 – $75,000 per year.
  • Senior Level (5+ years / High-Net-Worth & 706 expertise): $75,000 – $90,000+ per year.
• PTO
• Health, dental, vision insurance
• Life insurance, LTD, STD
• 401k

Core Responsibilities and Duties

Substantive & Billable (80-90%)

• Estate & Trust Administration: Draft pleadings for formal, summary, and ancillary probate administrations. Prepare letters of administration, inventories, and accountings for beneficiaries and courts.
• Tax Document Preparation: Assist in preparing federal estate tax returns (Form 706).
• Estate Planning Support: Drafting support for foundational estate planning documents, including Wills, Revocable Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Healthcare Surrogate Designations, and Living Wills.
• Asset & Funding Coordination: Assist clients with the asset verification and funding process, including drafting change-of-beneficiary forms for financial accounts.
• Legal Research: Utilize LexisNexis to perform preliminary statutory and case law research regarding probate and trust laws.

Administrative & Non-Billable (10-20%)

• Conflict Checks: Processing new matter intake forms and running conflict-of-interest searches.
• File Maintenance: Organizing physical or digital client files, maintaining estate planning originals, and ensuring proper saving of correspondence, deeds, and corporate books.
• Scheduling & Signing Coordination: Coordinating the scheduling of client consultations, document review sessions, and formal estate executions (notarizing and witnessing).
• Vendor Management: Directing activities of appraisers, asset search vendors, couriers, and copy centers.

Performance Indicators

• Positive, “can-do” attitude and a team-oriented, collaborative approach to professional responsibilities.
• Accuracy and timeliness of probate court filings and notice publications.
• Consistent achievement of monthly billable hour targets.
• Effectiveness in managing sensitive client interactions with empathy and professionalism.
• Reliability and strict attention to statutory deadlines.

Examples of Substantive Legal Work

Case & File Management

• Ensuring Deadline Compliance: Calendaring and tracking court deadlines for creditor claims, inventory filings, final accountings, and tax filing deadlines.
• Filing: Electronically filing (e-filing) probate petitions, notices, and pleadings via the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.

Probate & Trust Administration

• Drafting Pleadings: Assisting with initial drafts of Petitions for Administration, Orders Appointing Personal Representative, Notices to Creditors, and Petitions for Discharge.
• Asset Marshaling: Contacting financial institutions to gather date-of-death values, liquidating estate accounts, and maintaining clear asset logs.