Estate Administration Paralegal (Experienced)

Gadsden Schneider & Woodward LLP; Wayne (PA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation and benefits

Long-term growth opportunity

Job summary

A boutique trust and estate law firm is seeking an experienced Estate Administration Paralegal to manage complex estates and trusts from inception to closing. The successful candidate will have at least 10 years of experience, proficiency in Microsoft Office, and the ability to work independently while ensuring exceptional client service. This role offers significant responsibility, autonomy, and the opportunity to grow within a supportive firm culture, providing competitive compensation and benefits.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of direct experience in estate and trust administration.
• Ability to manage matters independently from beginning to end.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office suite and experience with accounting software.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Experience with fiduciary accounting software (Lackner preferred).
• Exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple matters simultaneously.
• Professional communication skills and a high level of client service orientation.
• Ability to work independently while contributing as part of a collaborative team.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary contact for clients and fiduciaries, providing exceptional service.
• Independently manage administration of estates and trusts.
• Draft necessary legal documents and prepare tax returns.
• Identify and gather estate assets; prepare and maintain detailed inventories.
• Prepare Pennsylvania inheritance tax returns, federal estate tax returns, and fiduciary accountings.
• Maintain financial records used in the preparation of tax returns and accountings.
• Coordinate with attorneys, accountants, financial advisors, and court personnel to ensure timely and accurate filings.
• Track deadlines, manage workflows, and proactively identify issues before they arise.

Skills

Estate and trust administration experience

Microsoft Word proficiency

Microsoft Excel proficiency

Microsoft Outlook proficiency

Organizational skills

Professional communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree or paralegal certificate

Paralegal certificate

Tools

Fiduciary accounting software (Lackner preferred)

Excel

Outlook

Fiduciary accounting software (Lackner)

Job description

Gadsden Schneider & Woodward LLP is a boutique trust and estate law firm serving high-net-worth individuals and families. We are seeking an experienced Estate Administration Paralegal to manage sophisticated estate and trust matters from inception through closing.

This position offers meaningful responsibility, professional autonomy, direct client engagement, and the opportunity to become a valued long-term member of a highly collaborative and respected firm.

Position Overview

The Estate Administration Paralegal plays a central role in the firm's estate and trust administration practice. The successful candidate will independently manage complex matters, serve as a primary point of contact for clients and fiduciaries, and ensure all aspects of administration are handled efficiently, accurately, and with exceptional service.

Primary Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, beneficiaries, fiduciaries and financial institutions, providing clear communication and exceptional service throughout the administration process.
• Independently manage the administration of estates and trusts.
• Draft probate petitions, notices, correspondence, and closing documents.
• Identify and gather estate assets; prepare and maintain detailed inventories.
• Prepare Pennsylvania inheritance tax returns, federal estate tax returns, and fiduciary accountings.
• Maintain financial records used in the preparation of tax returns and accountings.
• Coordinate with attorneys, accountants, financial advisors, and court personnel to ensure timely and accurate filings.
• Track deadlines, manage workflows, and proactively identify issues before they arise.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of direct experience in estate and trust administration, including managing matters independently from beginning to end.
• Bachelor's degree, paralegal certificate, or equivalent professional experience.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Experience with fiduciary accounting software (Lackner preferred).
• Exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple matters simultaneously.
• Professional communication skills and a high level of client service orientation.
• Ability to work independently while contributing as part of a collaborative team.
• Highly respected boutique firm focused exclusively on estate planning, trust administration, and wealth preservation.
• Collegial, professional, and supportive firm culture.
• Meaningful client work with high-level responsibility.
• Competitive compensation and benefits, commensurate with experience.
• Long-term growth opportunity for a committed professional.

Interested? Please send your resume with a cover letter and your desired salary.