Estate Probate Paralegal

ThinkingAhead; South Bend (IN); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits

Job summary

ThinkingAhead is seeking an Estate & Probate Paralegal to manage a portfolio of trusts, estates, agency accounts, and guardianships. You will work directly with clients, beneficiaries, and outside counsel, with senior trust officers available for guidance on complex issues.

Responsibilities include setting up estates, reviewing documents, handling initial processing, and ensuring compliance. The ideal candidate has 2+ years of relevant paralegal experience, strong communication skills, and

Qualifications

• 2+ years of paralegal experience in estate planning, probate, or trust administration.
• Working knowledge of wills, trusts, and the probate process.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Close attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple matters through to completion.

Responsibilities

• Set up and administer estates, trusts, agency accounts, and guardianships
• Review wills, trust agreements, and other governing documents to determine terms and fiduciary duties
• Handle initial account processing, including preparing records, paying expenses, compiling inventories, and obtaining releases of assets
• Administer accounts in accordance with each trust instrument
• Explain trust and will provisions to clients and beneficiaries and arrange appropriate distributions
• Coordinate with attorneys on estate and trust matters
• Bring non-routine questions to senior officers with a recommended course of action
• Maintain accurate account records and files
• [Support client relationship and business development efforts as needed]
• Complete required compliance training and follow all applicable laws and regulations

Skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Attention to detail

Multitasking

Education

Paralegal certificate

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an Estate & Probate Paralegal to manage a portfolio of trust, estate, agency, and guardianship accounts. If you’re a paralegal with experience in estate planning, probate, or trust administration, this role puts your skills to work in a new setting: instead of supporting attorneys on these matters, you’ll administer the accounts directly, working with clients, beneficiaries, and outside counsel, with senior trust officers available for guidance on complex issues.

Responsibilities

• Set up and administer estates, trusts, agency accounts, and guardianships
• Review wills, trust agreements, and other governing documents to determine terms and fiduciary duties
• Handle initial account processing, including preparing records, paying expenses, compiling inventories, and obtaining releases of assets
• Administer accounts in accordance with each trust instrument
• Explain trust and will provisions to clients and beneficiaries and arrange appropriate distributions
• Coordinate with attorneys on estate and trust matters
• Bring non-routine questions to senior officers with a recommended course of action
• Maintain accurate account records and files
• [Support client relationship and business development efforts as needed]
• Complete required compliance training and follow all applicable laws and regulations

Required

• 2+ years of paralegal experience in estate planning, probate, or trust administration
• Working knowledge of wills, trusts, and the probate process
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Close attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple matters through to completion

Preferred

• Paralegal certificate or certification (e.g., NALA CP, NFPA RP)
• Bachelor’s degree
• Experience preparing estate inventories, accountings, or fiduciary tax documents
• Experience in a bank trust department or corporate fiduciary setting

Benefits

• Full: Health, dental, vision, 401(k) match, PTO, etc.

Work Environment

Standard office environment with occasional travel for meetings and seminars. Reasonable accommodations are available to enable individuals to perform the essential functions of the role.

Compensation

$80,000-$120,000 per year