Assistant Clerk - Estates

State of North Carolina; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of North Carolina's Clerk of Superior Court, Mecklenburg County, Estates Division seeks an Assistant Clerk (NS) to process probate of wills and guardianships, prepare letters of testamentary, and assist with hearings.

You will work with attorneys and the public, supervise deputy clerks, review accounts, issue notices, and ensure compliance with NC statutes. A high school diploma is required; a JD is preferred; positions may pay above minimum for education and experience.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required; must be 18+, Mecklenburg resident preferred.
• Juris Doctorate preferred; active NC license or probate experience may pay above minimum.
• Strong knowledge of estates, guardianships, and probate procedures.

Responsibilities

• Process applications for probate of wills and codicils; may serve as judge of probate.
• Appoint personal representatives for decedent estates, guardianships, trustees, collectors, and allowances.
• Prepare letters of testamentary, administration, and guardianship.
• Administer oaths and set bonds for administrators and guardians.
• Review annual and final accountings for accuracy and approve closing of estates.
• Issue Notices and Orders to personal representatives and legal counsel; preside over hearings.
• Supervise deputy clerks.

Skills

NC General Statutes

Guardianships

Probate procedures

Hearing procedures

VCAP

Supervisory principles

Office procedures

Education

High school diploma

Juris Doctorate preferred

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Outlook

Job description

Agency

Clerk of Superior Court

Division

CSC Mecklenburg

Job Classification Title

Assistant Clerk (NS)

Position Number

60003811

Grade

JA01

About Us

DO YOUR CAREER JUSTICE! Each and every day, North Carolina’s courts help provide safety for our communities, prosperity for our economy, and protection for the rights, liberties, and freedoms that sit at the foundation of our state and federal constitutions. Consider an exciting and rewarding career with us and join the more than 7,000 elected officials and employees who make up our workforce and help us ensure that justice is administrated without favor, denial, or delay.

Description of Work

SALARY RANGE: $41,696.00 - $77,036.00

The Office of the Clerk of Superior Court, Mecklenburg County, seeks an Assistant Clerk for its Estates Division. Estate Clerks process decedent and guardianship estates according to North Carolina statutes and may perform some of the same functions as the Clerk of Superior Court.

Estate Clerks meet with attorneys, representatives of other agencies, and the public and must be able to tactfully and diplomatically explain rules, policies, and procedures without giving legal advice.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Primary responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Process applications for probate of wills and codicils and may serve as judge of probate.


• Appoint personal representatives for decedent estates, guardianships, trustees, collectors, and allowances.


• Prepare letters of testamentary, administration, and guardianship.


• Administer oaths and set bonds for administrators and guardians.


• Review annual and final accountings for accuracy and approve closing of estates.


• Issue Notices and Orders to personal representatives and legal counsel and preside over hearings.


• Supervise deputy clerks.

New hires may be paid above the minimum rate depending on education and experience in a North Carolina Clerk of Superior Court office.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES / COMPETENCIES:

Knowledge of: NC General Statutes; local judicial district procedures; policies and procedures related to estates and guardianships; procedures for conducting hearings; VCAP; basic supervisory principles and best practices; and general office and clerical procedures.

Skills in: basic math and accounting principles; active listening; effectively communicating both verbally and in writing; hiring, performance management, and dealing with difficult employee situations; and Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Ability to: review the facts of an estate case and discuss options for estate administration with applicants and/or attorneys; read and comprehend legal documents; review estate inventory and accounting forms; interact diplomatically with a diverse group of people; adjust to unexpected events; meet deadlines; organize and manage hard copy and electronic files; work independently; and provide procedural information without giving legal advice.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

High school diploma or equivalency certificate required. Minimum of 18 years of age. Mecklenburg County residents preferred.

Management prefers applicants with a Juris Doctorate degree from an ABA accredited law school and an active license to practice law in North Carolina and/or experience with probate administration. Applicants with a law degree may be paid above the minimum rate.

Attach cover letter and resume

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

The North Carolina Judicial Branch participates in E-Verify, an internet-based system that compares information from an employee’s Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from the US Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility.

Dominikii Coleman
NC Administrative Office of the Courts
Human Resources Division
https://www.nccourts.gov/about/about-judicial-branch/careers