Estate Planning Paralegal

Bodman PLC; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Bodman PLC in Grand Rapids, MI is seeking a Paralegal to support estate planning attorneys. You will organize probate, estate planning, real estate and entity documents while maintaining confidentiality and client communication.

Key duties include assisting with trust and estate administration, preparing filings, deeds, routine power of attorney documents, and tax forms, plus entity formation and ongoing filings. Strong organizational and analytical skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related subject matter (finance, business, political science, legal administration).
• Minimum 8 years’ experience in estate planning and trust/estate administration.
• Knowledge of legal principles and practices at paralegal level or equivalent.
• Strong problem solving, analytical and detail orientation.
• Excellent organizational and time-management abilities.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with attorneys and team in all stages of estate planning, wealth transfers and estate/trust administration.
• Handle various aspects of trust and estate administration, including probate pleadings and notices, inventories, and tax documents.
• Prepare deeds and property transfer affidavits.
• Prepare routine estate planning documents such as powers of attorney (financial and health care) and ancillary documents.
• Assist with Form 706 Estate Tax Return and Form 709 Gift Tax Returns.
• Assist with forming entities, including formation documents and IRS taxpayer IDs.
• Assist with annual entity reports and state/local filings for client entities.
• Communicate with clients and other parties to obtain information for documents.
• Utilize Word, Excel, and PowerPoint when applicable.

Skills

Estate planning

Trust administration

Legal documentation

Attention to detail

Project management

Client communication

Time management

Proofreading

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related subject matter

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Description

We are seeking a Paralegal to perform a variety of duties to assist estate planning attorneys to whom assigned. Maintains positive contact with clients and observes confidentiality of client matters. Organizes and maintains probate, estate planning, real estate, and entity documents.

Department: Paralegal

Location: Grand Rapids, MI

Description

We are seeking a Paralegal to perform a variety of duties to assist estate planning attorneys to whom assigned. Maintains positive contact with clients and observes confidentiality of client matters. Organizes and maintains probate, estate planning, real estate, and entity documents.

Key Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with attorneys and other team members in all stages of estate planning, wealth transfers and estate and trust administration.
• Handle various aspects of trust and estate administration, including preparing and filing probate pleadings, as well as preparing beneficiary and creditor notices, inventories, accountings and tax documents.
• Prepare and file deeds and property transfer affidavits.
• Prepare routine estate planning documents such as financial power of attorney, health care power of attorney, and other ancillary documents.
• Assist with preparation of Form 706 Estate Tax Return and Form 709 Gift Tax Returns.
• Assist with forming entities, including preparation and filing of formation documents and obtaining taxpayer identification numbers from IRS.
• Assists with annual entity reports and other state and local filings for the maintenance of client entities and applicable business registrations.
• Communicate with clients and other parties to obtain information and documentation needed to prepare entity, real estate, estate planning, and probate documents.
• Utilizes appropriate technology and software when applicable, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Bachelor’s degree in related subject matter (i.e. finance, business, political science, legal administration).
• Minimum 8 years’ experience in all aspects of estate planning and trust and estate administration.
• Knowledge of legal principles and practices at a level normally acquired through formal paralegal training or its equivalent.
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills.
• Strong attention to detail and project management skills.
• Ability to organize and prioritize numerous tasks and complete them under time constraints.
• Ability to proofread material for contextual, grammatical, typographical or spelling errors.
• Interpersonal skills necessary to communicate in person, by e-mail and telephone, follow instructions effectively from a diverse group of clients, attorneys and staff, and provide information with ordinary courtesy and tact.
• Work requires a high level of mental effort and strain while assisting with multiple client matters.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment such as computer, fax machine, and photocopier.
• Ability to travel to private and public buildings, locally and statewide, to assist attorneys in attending to client needs on legal matters.