Job Title: Trusts & Estates Paralegal
Industry: Law Firm
Location: Chicago, IL
Assignment Type: Direct Hire
Pay: $90,000 - $120,000 annually
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM | 35 - hour work week | Hybrid schedule
Benefits: This position is eligible for medical, dental, vision, and 401(k).
Job Description: We are seeking an experienced
Trusts & Estates Paralegal to provide comprehensive support across probate, estate administration, trust administration, and fiduciary matters. This individual will work closely with attorneys, clients, beneficiaries, trustees, courts, financial institutions, and other outside professionals throughout the administration process.
The ideal candidate will bring strong hands-on probate and estate administration experience, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to independently manage multiple matters and deadlines. Familiarity with corporate and real estate matters as they relate to estate planning clients is also beneficial.
Key Responsibilities: - Support attorneys with probate and estate administration matters from initial opening through final resolution.
- Draft and prepare probate petitions, pleadings, inventories, accountings, notices, receipts, and other court-related documentation.
- Coordinate with probate courts, fiduciaries, beneficiaries, accountants, financial institutions, and additional third parties.
- Track court dates, filing requirements, deadlines, and other important case milestones.
- Collect, review, and organize information regarding estate assets and related documentation.
- Assist with the ongoing administration of both revocable and irrevocable trusts.
- Prepare documentation associated with trust funding, asset transfers, and beneficiary distributions.
- Maintain trust records and assist with fiduciary accountings.
- Communicate professionally with trustees and beneficiaries regarding administrative matters.
- Maintain organized electronic case files, calendars, and docketing systems.
- Draft correspondence and assist attorneys with legal and factual research as needed.
- Provide additional support for estate planning matters involving corporate entities and real estate assets.
Qualifications: - 3 - 5+ years of Trusts & Estates paralegal experience, preferably within a law firm environment.
- Bachelor's degree or Paralegal Certificate required.
- Significant hands-on experience with probate and estate administration .
- Experience preparing and submitting probate court filings and supporting documentation.
- Familiarity with applicable state probate procedures and electronic court filing systems.
- Experience supporting the administration of revocable and irrevocable trusts.
- Knowledge of trust funding, asset transfers, and beneficiary distributions.
- Experience with fiduciary accountings and estate tax-related matters.
- Understanding of corporate and real estate matters as they relate to estate planning clients is preferred.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with a client-service mindset.
- Excellent organization, time management, and attention to detail.
- Ability to independently prioritize multiple matters in a deadline-driven environment.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Adobe; experience with iManage or similar legal document management systems is a plus.
- Strong judgment, discretion, analytical skills, and problem-solving abilities.
Additional Details: - Position requires the ability to work both independently and collaboratively with attorneys and other legal professionals.
Perks: - Highly flexible hybrid schedule.
- Overtime eligible.
- Performance-based bonus opportunities.
- Profit-sharing eligibility.
- Manageable 1,400 annual billable-hour expectation.
- Professional development and career advancement opportunities.
- Collaborative and team-oriented law firm culture.
