Probate Associate - Leading Law Firm

Hunterslegal; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Hunters Legal in London is recruiting a Probate Associate to join its Private Wealth team, handling a varied caseload of estate administrations for UK and international individuals and families.

You will work alongside Partners and senior lawyers on complex matters, with hybrid working and strong development opportunities in a market-leading practice.

Qualifications

• Experience administering a broad range of estates.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong client relationship and interpersonal skills.
• Well-organised approach with ability to prioritise a varied workload.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Proactive, positive and solutions-focused mindset.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Professionalism, integrity and sound commercial awareness.
• Collaborative team player across the Private Wealth group.

Responsibilities

• Managing the administration of estates from initial instruction through to completion.
• Collecting information from clients, financial institutions and valuers to prepare inheritance tax returns.
• Preparing inheritance tax calculations including business and agricultural reliefs and exempt assets.
• Drafting estate accounts, including STEP-compliant accounts.
• Preparing applications for Grants of Representation and related documents.
• Liaising with executors, beneficiaries and professional advisers throughout the process.
• Arranging collection, transfer and distribution of estate assets while settling liabilities.
• Working with accountants to finalise the deceased's tax affairs.
• Ensuring estates are administered efficiently and in compliance with legal requirements.

Skills

Estate administration

Client relationship management

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Job description

Hunters Legal is working with a leading law firm to recruit a Probate Associate to join its highly regarded Private Wealth team in London.

This is an excellent opportunity to become part of one of London's most respected private wealth practices, acting on a broad range of complex, high-value estate administrations for UK and international individuals and families. The successful candidate will join a collaborative probate team within a wider Private Wealth department that is recognised for delivering exceptional client service across succession planning, trusts, tax and estate administration.

Working alongside experienced Partners, Counsel, Senior Associates and specialist support staff, the role offers exposure to sophisticated probate matters while providing excellent opportunities for continued professional development and progression.

The Role

The Probate Associate will be responsible for managing a varied caseload of estate administrations, taking ownership of matters while working collaboratively with colleagues across the Private Wealth team. The role requires a proactive and client-focused individual who is confident handling complex administrations and building strong relationships with executors, beneficiaries and professional advisers.

Key Responsibilities

• Managing the administration of estates from initial instruction through to completion.
• Collecting information from clients, financial institutions and professional valuers to prepare inheritance tax returns.
• Preparing inheritance tax calculations, including matters involving business and agricultural reliefs, as well as conditionally exempt assets.
• Drafting estate accounts, including STEP-compliant estate accounts where appropriate.
• Preparing applications for Grants of Representation and associated documentation, including powers reserved, powers of attorney and renunciations.
• Liaising with executors, beneficiaries, HMRC, financial institutions and other third parties throughout the administration process.
• Arranging the collection, transfer and distribution of estate assets while ensuring liabilities are settled appropriately.
• Working alongside accountants where required to finalise the deceased's tax affairs.
• Ensuring estates are administered efficiently, accurately and in accordance with relevant legal and regulatory requirements.
• Delegating work appropriately and supporting junior members of the team where required.

The Candidate

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Experience administering a broad range of estates.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong client relationship and interpersonal skills.
• A well-organised approach with the ability to prioritise a varied workload.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• A proactive, positive and solutions-focused mindset.
• The ability to work effectively under pressure and meet competing deadlines.
• Professionalism, integrity and sound commercial awareness.
• A collaborative approach and willingness to contribute to a supportive team culture.

The Opportunity

This position offers the chance to work on complex, high-quality probate matters for high-net-worth individuals and families within a market-leading Private Wealth practice. The successful candidate will benefit from close collaboration with experienced lawyers, ongoing professional development, hybrid working and genuine opportunities for long-term career progression within an inclusive and supportive environment.