Paralegal - Wills & Estates

Moray & Agnew Lawyers; Newcastle; On-site; AUD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Health and wellness initiatives

Paid parental leave

Continuous learning and development

Diversity and Inclusion Policy

Dress for your Work Day Policy

Job summary

Moray & Agnew Lawyers is seeking an experienced Paralegal to support a busy deceased estates and estate planning practice in Newcastle. You will work closely with a Special Counsel and team, handling probate matters, documentation, and client liaison.

The role requires hands-on administration, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple estates. The candidate should be comfortable working from the office at least four days per week.

Qualifications

• Experience in probate and deceased estate administration is required/preferred.
• Strong attention to detail and organisational skills.
• Ability to liaise with clients, executors and financial institutions.

Responsibilities

• Assist with probate and deceased estate matters from initiation through to final distribution.
• Prepare probate and estate administration documentation.
• Liaise with clients, executors, beneficiaries and third parties.
• Assist with collection, administration and distribution of estate assets; support estate planning matters.
• Maintain organised files and ensure matters progress efficiently.

Skills

Probate

Estate administration

Client communication

Document preparation

Job description

We are looking for an experienced Paralegal to join our growing practice. Working closely with a Special Counsel and the broader team, you will provide hands‑on support across a busy portfolio of deceased estates and estate planning matters. This is a varied role with a particular focus on probate and estate administration, alongside supporting the estate planning practice. Your responsibilities will include:

• assisting with probate and deceased estate matters from commencement through to final distribution;
• preparing probate and other estate administration documentation;
• liaising with clients, executors, beneficiaries, financial institutions and other third parties;
• assisting with the collection, administration and distribution of estate assets;
• providing administrative support across estate planning matters;
• managing and handling wills and other important documents, including safe custody records; and
• maintaining organised files and ensuring matters progress efficiently.

The role would suit someone who is comfortable taking ownership of their work while collaborating closely with the lawyers in the team. Given the hands‑on and document‑focused nature of the practice, we are ideally looking for someone who can work from the office at least four days per week.

About you

You will ideally have previous experience as a paralegal in a Wills & Estates practice, with strong practical probate and estate administration experience. You will be comfortable working across multiple estates at different stages and understand the importance of accuracy, organisation and sensitive client service in this area. You will also have:

• practical experience assisting with probate and deceased estate administration;
• confidence preparing probate and estate administration documentation;
• strong organisational and file management skills, with the ability to keep matters moving;
• excellent attention to detail, particularly when handling important estate planning and safe custody documents;
• strong written and verbal communication skills and confidence dealing with clients, executors and beneficiaries;
• a calm, methodical and proactive approach to your work; and
• a willingness to assist across both deceased estates and the administrative aspects of estate planning.

Ideally, we are looking for a career Paralegal to fill this role. However, if you're a law student with the experience we are looking for who can commit to working full time while studying, we are open to hearing from you.

About us

We’re passionate about what we do and want you to be too.

We’re one of Australia’s leading law firms, recognised nationally for our legal expertise across insurance, commercial, workplace and government matters. Our teams work with major insurers, corporates, government agencies, SMEs and not for profit organisations across Australia.

With more than 800 people across Brisbane, Cairns, Canberra, Hobart, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth and Sydney, we combined high quality work with collaborative and supportive culture.

We’re also proud to be recognised by Chambers Asia-Pacific, Legal 500 Asia-Pacific, Best Lawyers and Doyle’s Guide and to have one of the highest percentages of female partners among Australia’s top 50 law firms.

Culture & benefits of working with us

As a national firm with the scale and reputation to attract great clients and high-quality work, every day is different. To support you, we offer a wide range of benefits, including:

• Flexible working arrangements to help you balance your work and personal commitments
• Health and wellness initiatives, including an Employee Assistance Program for you and your family, onsite Mental Health First Aiders, discounts on health insurance, and corporate discounts at 400+ leading fitness and wellbeing brands
• Financial benefits including discounted conveyancing services, financial planning assistance, and our generous employee referral program
• Paid parental leave and accreditation as a Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace
• Continuous learning and development programs to ensure you are always being challenged, engaged, and encouraged to grow and further your career
• Connection and community including office-based social events, sporting events, paid blood donation leave, and a long-standing commitment to pro bono work and community contribution
• Diversity and Inclusion PolicyandEmployee Reference Groups (LGBTQIA+, Gender, Parents & Caregivers, Mature Workers, and Health & Wellbeing, and Reconciliation Action Plan Working Groups) ensuring that we continue to live our values and encouraging our people to be their authentic selves at work each day
• Dress for your Work Day Policybecause we trust our people to make choices which appropriately represent our firm

We welcome people of all backgrounds and identities to apply for this position, including First Nations people, neurodiverse people and people with disability. If you have questions about the recruitment process or require any adjustments to participate, please let us know in your application.

We do not require recruitment agency assistance with this vacancy. Any applications submitted by recruitment agencies without having been briefed will not be considered a valid introduction.