Estate Administration Paralegal

Shipman & Goodwin LLP; Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 57,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

Shipman & Goodwin LLP seeks an experienced Estate Administration Paralegal to support the administration of decedents’ estates from intake through closing. Working closely with partners, associates, and fellow paralegals, you will handle probate filings, asset identification, and tax considerations with discretion and client focus.

The ideal candidate has a minimum of five years of estate and trust administration experience, CT probate knowledge, and proficiency in Microsoft Office.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or paralegal certificate from an ABA-approved program, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of five years of estate and trust administration experience in a law firm, bank trust department, or similar setting.
• Working knowledge of probate procedure and court forms in Connecticut
• Working knowledge of federal and Connecticut estate tax
• Experience and knowledge of fiduciary income tax
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Responsibilities

• Prepare and file probate petitions, applications for appointment of fiduciaries, inventories, accountings, and related pleadings with the probate court.
• Identify, marshal, and inventory estate assets, including bank and brokerage accounts, retirement assets, life insurance, real property, business interests, and tangible personal property.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for executors, trustees, and beneficiaries on estate administration matters, under attorney supervision.
• Maintain matter files, deadlines, and administration checklists in the firm’s document management and calendaring systems.

Skills

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Communication

Empathy

Education

Bachelor’s degree or paralegal certificate

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Company Description Shipman & Goodwin LLP is a client-focused law firm committed to serving businesses, institutions, government entities, non-profit organizations, and individuals. The firm’s attorneys invest significant time understanding each client’s unique needs, industry, and challenges to provide tailored, practical solutions. Clients rely on Shipman & Goodwin as trusted advisors for ongoing operations, complex transactions, growth strategies, and dispute resolution. With more than 165 lawyers in offices across Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and Texas, the firm supports local, regional, national, and international clients. Shipman & Goodwin also maintains a strong commitment to the legal profession and the communities it serves.

Shipman & Goodwin LLP, seeks an experienced Estate Administration Paralegal to join its Estate practice. Working closely with partners, associates, and fellow paralegals, the Estate Administration Paralegal supports the administration of decedents’ estates from initial intake through final distribution and closing. The role demands strong technical knowledge of probate procedure and federal and Connecticut estate and fiduciary income tax, along with sound judgment, discretion, and a compassionate, client-focused approach when working with families during difficult times.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Probate and Court Proceedings

• Prepare and file probate petitions, applications for appointment of fiduciaries, inventories, accountings, and related pleadings with the probate court.
• Draft notices to heir and beneficiaries, and track statutory deadlines and claim periods.
• Prepare waivers, consents, receipts and releases, and estate closing documents.
• Coordinate ancillary probate proceedings in other jurisdictions with local counsel.

Asset Identification, Collection, and Valuation

• Identify, marshal, and inventory estate assets, including bank and brokerage accounts, retirement assets, life insurance, real property, business interests, and tangible personal property.
• Correspond with financial institutions, transfer agents, insurers, and retirement plan administrators to retitle, liquidate, or transfer assets.

Client and Matter Management

• Serve as a primary point of contact for executors, trustees, and beneficiaries on estate administration matters, under attorney supervision.
• Maintain matter files, deadlines, and administration checklists in the firm’s document management and calendaring systems.
• Track and record time accurately and contemporaneously in accordance with firm billing policies.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree or paralegal certificate from an ABA-approved program, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of five years of estate and trust administration experience in a law firm, bank trust department, or similar setting.
• Working knowledge of probate procedure and court forms in Connecticut
• Working knowledge of federal and Connecticut estate tax
• Experience and knowledge of fiduciary income tax
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Preferred

• Experience with high net worth estates and closely held business interests
• Familiarity with document management systems (e.g., iManage) and time entry systems (e.g., Aderant)

Skills and Competencies

• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy with numbers and deadlines.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage a large caseload of matters at varying stages simultaneously.
• Clear, professional written and verbal communication skills.
• Empathy, tact, and discretion when working with grieving families and handling confidential information.

Ability to work independently and collaboratively with attorneys, staff, and outside professionals.

Compensation and Benefits

The pay range for this role is $41.21/hour to $71.43/hour ($75,000-$130,000/year based on a 35 hour workweek). The final base salary offered for this role will depend on several individual factors, including the candidate's job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, as well as geographic location. We provide our employees with a competitive compensation package which includes, but is not limited to, a choice of flexible benefits plans, including medical, dental, vision, long and short-term disability, life insurance, paid time off, as well as a 401K savings plan with profit sharing, just to name a few. Additionally, we offer continuous in-house training, flexible working conditions, employee discounts, and a variety of firm-sponsored activities and events.

Physical and Other Requirements

The work is primarily of an intellectual nature and requires a variety of physical capabilities. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 lbs. and rarely has to lift and/or move up to 25 lbs. This position requires the ability to operate a keyboard at efficient speed. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly to stand, walk, talk and hear. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Non-Discrimination

The Firm will not make employment decisions (including decisions related to hiring, assignment, compensation, promotion, demotion, disciplinary action and termination) on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, gender identity or expression, veteran status, status as a victim of domestic violence or any other characteristics protected by applicable law except in the case of a bona fide occupational qualification.

Qualifications

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Disclaimer Statement

The preceding job description has been designed to illustrate the general nature and requirements for the performance of this position. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive statement of essential functions, responsibilities or requirements.