Trust & Estates Paralegal

Title: Trust & Estates Paralegal

Key Responsibilities

• Manage financial records for estates and trusts where the firm acts in a fiduciary capacity, including processing disbursements, reconciling accounts, and maintaining accurate checkbook records.
• Coordinate directly with attorneys to ensure timely payment of bills and adherence to accounting protocols.
• Liaise with clients, financial institutions, and external professionals to gather relevant financial and asset data.
• Compile and prepare detailed inventories of estate assets, including probate and non-probate assets such as investment accounts, retirement plans, and real estate holdings.
• Assist in the preparation and submission of state and federal estate tax returns (including IRS Form 706, NJ IT-R, and related filings).
• Organize documentation and support preparation of estate and trust accountings.
• Maintain up-to-date records of trust distributions, income, and beneficiary communications.
• Prepare preliminary estate tax projections and expense estimates in collaboration with assigned attorneys.
• Draft template-based correspondence and assist with court filings and Surrogate’s Court procedures.
• Contribute to firmwide process improvements related to document execution, court forms, tax filings, and procedural workflows.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience supporting attorneys in Trusts & Estates law within a legal firm.
• Associate or Bachelor's degree required; Paralegal Certificate preferred.
• High proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and familiarity with document management systems (e.g., iManage).
• Strong organizational skills, accuracy in financial tracking, and ability to manage multiple active matters simultaneously.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills and professional demeanor.
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines in a high-volume environment.