Estate Planning Legal Secretary

Burnett Specialists Staffing | Recruiting; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Burnett Specialists Staffing is representing a client seeking an experienced Estate Planning Legal Secretary to support attorneys in the estate planning practice. The role emphasizes strong organization, confidentiality, and client interaction in a high-volume environment.

Responsibilities include drafting estate planning documents, probate filings, calendar management, and secure handling of sensitive information. Proficiency in MS Office, iManage, and legal research tools is highly valued.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 6 years of legal secretary experience, with at least 3 years supporting an estate planning practice.
• Strong understanding of estate planning documents, probate procedures, and trust administration.
• Familiarity with court filing procedures, county and state filing systems, and legal terminology related to estate planning and probate.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook), document management systems such as iManage, and legal billing software.
• Experience with Westlaw, GEMS, Interactive Legal Suite, and FlexDraft is a plus, but not required.
• Excellent organizational, multitasking, and time management skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to exercise a high level of discretion and maintain confidentiality with sensitive client information.

Responsibilities

• Draft, prepare, and revise estate planning documents, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance directives, and related correspondence.
• Assist with the preparation, filing, and processing of probate documents and court filings.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for clients, financial institutions, and court personnel while maintaining a professional and courteous demeanor.
• Answer and manage attorney phone lines.
• Maintain attorney calendars, monitor deadlines, and coordinate schedules related to court filings, trust funding, client meetings, and other critical case milestones.
• Coordinate document signings, notary services, and execution of estate planning documents.
• Review and organize financial records, beneficiary designations, and asset information.
• Maintain accurate and organized electronic and physical client files in accordance with firm procedures.
• Assist attorneys with legal research, correspondence, and preparation of estate and trust tax forms, including IRS Forms 706 and 709.
• Provide additional administrative and legal support as needed.

Skills

Legal secretary experience

Communication skills

Organization

Discretion/confidentiality

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

iManage

Westlaw

GEMS

Interactive Legal Suite

FlexDraft

Job description

Our client is seeking an experienced Estate Planning Legal Secretary to provide comprehensive administrative and legal support to attorneys in their Estate Planning practice. This role requires a highly organized professional with exceptional attention to detail, strong communication skills, and experience supporting estate planning and probate matters.

Responsibilities

• Draft, prepare, and revise estate planning documents, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance directives, and related correspondence.
• Assist with the preparation, filing, and processing of probate documents and court filings.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for clients, financial institutions, and court personnel while maintaining a professional and courteous demeanor.
• Answer and manage attorney phone lines.
• Maintain attorney calendars, monitor deadlines, and coordinate schedules related to court filings, trust funding, client meetings, and other critical case milestones.
• Coordinate document signings, notary services, and execution of estate planning documents.
• Review and organize financial records, beneficiary designations, and asset information.
• Maintain accurate and organized electronic and physical client files in accordance with firm procedures.
• Assist attorneys with legal research, correspondence, and preparation of estate and trust tax forms, including IRS Forms 706 and 709.
• Provide additional administrative and legal support as needed.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 6 years of legal secretary experience, with at least 3 years supporting an estate planning practice strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of estate planning documents, probate procedures, and trust administration.
• Familiarity with court filing procedures, county and state filing systems, and legal terminology related to estate planning and probate.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook), document management systems such as iManage, and legal billing software.
• Experience with Westlaw, GEMS, Interactive Legal Suite, and FlexDraft is a plus, but not required.
• Excellent organizational, multitasking, and time management skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to exercise a high level of discretion and maintain confidentiality with sensitive client information.