Partner

Galbraith Weatherbie Law; Naples (FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Galbraith Weatherbie Law, PLLC in Naples, FL seeks an experienced Probate & Trust Administration Attorney. The ideal candidate will have at least five years handling complex trusts, estates, and federal estate and gift tax matters in a probate-focused practice.

You will independently manage probate and trust administration from start to finish, advise fiduciaries, prepare IRS Forms 706 and 709, and coordinate with professionals to ensure timely compliance and client service.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in good standing with The Florida Bar.
• Minimum of five (5) years of substantive experience in probate and trust administration, including significant experience with complex trust administrations.
• Demonstrated hands‑on experience independently preparing IRS Forms 706 and 709, including complex supporting schedules and applicable tax elections.
• Thorough knowledge of Florida probate procedures, trust administration, fiduciary responsibilities, and applicable federal estate and gift tax laws.
• Proven ability to independently manage sophisticated matters, exercise sound legal judgment, and meet critical deadlines.
• Must be able to work in our Naples, Florida office five (5) days per week. This is not a remote or hybrid position.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage probate and trust administration matters from inception through completion, including complex and high-net-worth estates and trusts.
• Advise personal representatives, trustees, and beneficiaries regarding fiduciary responsibilities, trust interpretation, asset distributions, and applicable Florida law.
• Handle sophisticated trust administrations involving complex assets, multiple beneficiaries, closely held businesses, and multigenerational wealth transfer considerations.
• Independently prepare and review IRS Form 706 (United States Estate Tax Return) and IRS Form 709 (United States Gift and Generation‑Skipping Transfer Tax Return), including supporting schedules, valuations, elections, and related documentation.
• Analyze estate, gift, and generation‑skipping transfer tax implications arising during estate and trust administration.
• Oversee fiduciary accountings, asset inventories, creditor claims, distributions, and other probate and trust administration requirements.
• Coordinate with accountants, financial advisors, trustees, and other professionals to ensure accurate and timely administration and tax compliance.
• Provide strategic legal counsel and maintain strong client relationships throughout the administration process.
• Collaborate with the firm's attorneys and support staff while maintaining exceptional standards of legal accuracy, efficiency, and responsiveness.

Skills

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Florida Bar member in good standing

Probate & trust administration

IRS Form 706 & 709 preparation

Florida probate procedures knowledge

Legal drafting & client communication

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Job description

Galbraith Weatherbie Law, PLLC, a sophisticated trusts and estates law firm in Naples, Florida, is seeking an experienced Probate & Trust Administration Attorney to join our growing practice.

The ideal candidate will have a minimum of five (5) years of substantive experience in probate and trust administration, with a strong background in handling complex trust administrations, sophisticated estates, and federal estate and gift tax matters.

This position is primarily focused on probate, complex trust administration, and estate and gift tax compliance, rather than traditional estate planning. We are seeking an attorney who can independently manage complex matters, provide exceptional client service, and demonstrate strong technical proficiency in the preparation of federal estate and gift tax returns.

Key Responsibilities

• Independently manage probate and trust administration matters from inception through completion, including complex and high-net-worth estates and trusts.
• Advise personal representatives, trustees, and beneficiaries regarding fiduciary responsibilities, trust interpretation, asset distributions, and applicable Florida law.
• Handle sophisticated trust administrations involving complex assets, multiple beneficiaries, closely held businesses, and multigenerational wealth transfer considerations.
• Independently prepare and review IRS Form 706 (United States Estate Tax Return) and IRS Form 709 (United States Gift and Generation‑Skipping Transfer Tax Return), including supporting schedules, valuations, elections, and related documentation.
• Analyze estate, gift, and generation‑skipping transfer tax implications arising during estate and trust administration.
• Oversee fiduciary accountings, asset inventories, creditor claims, distributions, and other probate and trust administration requirements.
• Coordinate with accountants, financial advisors, trustees, and other professionals to ensure accurate and timely administration and tax compliance.
• Provide strategic legal counsel and maintain strong client relationships throughout the administration process.
• Collaborate with the firm's attorneys and support staff while maintaining exceptional standards of legal accuracy, efficiency, and responsiveness.

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in good standing with The Florida Bar.
• Minimum of five (5) years of substantive experience in probate and trust administration, including significant experience with complex trust administrations.
• Demonstrated hands‑on experience independently preparing IRS Forms 706 and 709, including complex supporting schedules and applicable tax elections.
• Thorough knowledge of Florida probate procedures, trust administration, fiduciary responsibilities, and applicable federal estate and gift tax laws.
• Proven ability to independently manage sophisticated matters, exercise sound legal judgment, and meet critical deadlines.
• Excellent legal drafting, analytical, organizational, communication, and client relationship skills.
• Must be able to work in our Naples, Florida office five (5) days per week. This is not a remote or hybrid position.

Preferred Qualifications

• LL.M. in Taxation or Estate Planning and/or Florida Bar Board Certification in Wills, Trusts and Estates.
• Advanced knowledge of estate, gift, and generation‑skipping transfer taxation.
• Experience administering high-net-worth estates and complex trusts involving business interests, substantial investment portfolios, and sophisticated distribution provisions.
• Experience handling federal estate tax audits or complex estate and gift tax issues.