Oversee all aspects of trust and estate administration.
Prepare and file all documents relating to probate and administrative proceedings.
Collect and distribute a decedent’s assets requiring considerable interaction with banks, brokerage houses, and appraisers. Prepare receipt and release agreements. Open, establish, and maintain estate checking accounts.
Compile information required to prepare estate tax returns. Experience in filing with the IRS and state authorities for state and federal estate tax returns is a plus. Organize and maintain estate tax files.
Research and investigate a wide range of requests, problems or issues that arise in trust and estate context.
Draft client correspondence and memos.
Communicate directly with clients as needed.
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree and/or five or more years progressive trust and estate administration experience are required, preferably in a law firm environment; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Paralegal certificate from an accredited paralegal program a plus.
Computer proficient with experience and working knowledge of databases, Internet research, due diligence, Excel, Outlook, and MS Word preferred,
Applicable knowledge of legal and investment terminology with a strong trust administration background and proficiency in fiduciary income tax forms and extensions. Ability to prepare federal and state estate tax returns, as well as familiarity with estate and gift tax return software programs, highly desirable.
Exhibit high degree of initiative with excellent analytical, technical, and critical-thinking skills requiring an aptitude for detail, precision, and logic in order to analyze and research probate trust/estate data, process information, conduct legal research, and perform essential duties.
Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills. Ability to communicate with courtesy and diplomacy, efficiently follow written and verbal instructions, provide information and training, and maintain effective relationships with attorneys, clients, staff, and outside contacts.
Dependable team player who works collaboratively and cooperatively with others in a team-oriented environment. Ability to act independently and make decisions within scope of the position’s responsibilities.
Possess excellent knowledge of reading, writing, grammar, spelling, punctuation, proofreading, and formatting in order to interpret source data, prepare probate and trust/estate-related documents and forms, proofread material for grammatical, typographical, and spelling errors, and perform file maintenance.
