Probate and Estates & Trusts Paralegal

The Los Angeles County Bar Association - LACBA; Burbank (CA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 127,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an experienced Paralegal to join their Estates and Trusts practice group. This role involves assisting in drafting legal documents, managing probate proceedings, and maintaining client files in a dynamic environment. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced setting, demonstrating exceptional organizational skills and the ability to work independently. With a competitive salary range and a hybrid work schedule after the initial 90 days, this position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to meaningful legal work while enjoying a supportive workplace culture.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in probate and trust administration.
• Ability to draft estate planning and trust administration documents.
• Familiarity with Probate Code notice requirements.

Responsibilities

• Assist in drafting estate planning and trust administration documents.
• Handle California probate court petitions and proceedings.
• Meet and communicate with clients and client advisors.

Skills

Probate Court Process Knowledge

Estate Planning Document Drafting

Client Communication

Office 365 Proficiency

Time Management

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Paralegal Certificate

Tools

Tax Preparation Software

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

Donahue Fitzgerald LLP provides its clients a full range of civil legal services across a broad spectrum of areas and expertise. Our clients range from individuals, sole proprietorships, closely held businesses to multinational Fortune 500 corporations, and include some of the country’s most prominent technology companies and retailers.

We are seeking an experienced Paralegal for our Estates and Trusts practice group in our Oakland office. This position's job duties include trust administrations, court supervised administrations, and drafting estate plans. The ideal candidate will also perform Probate proceedings from commencement through final distribution. The successful candidate will thrive in a fast paced and high volume environment, be highly organized and detail oriented, and be able to work independently.

Job Duties

Under the direct supervision of attorney, this position will:

• Assist in the drafting of estate planning and trust administration documents;
• Prepare asset lists, analyze bank and business records, identify trust and non-trust assets, and identify title and character of assets;
• Handle California probate court petitions and proceedings such as Heggstad petitions and proceedings;
• Meet and communicate with clients and client advisors;
• Assist clients with trust funding and preparing documents to facilitate same, recordation of deeds with accompanying transfer documents;
• Maintain client files and prepare materials for client meetings;
• Prepare and assemble federal estate tax returns; and
• Calendar critical deadlines and meetings
• Additional job duties as assigned

JOB KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Bachelor's Degree and/or paralegal certificate, required
• 5+ years of experience in probate and trust administration, desired
• Tax preparation software experience is preferred
• Must have knowledge of the Probate Court process including court filings, including for example, petitions for instructions, Probate Code Sections 850 petitions, petitions to approve accountings, and objections and replies to petitions.
• Familiarity with Probate Code notice requirements and ability to manage calendar notice deadlines
• Manage trust and probate administration case matter and deadlines
• Determine beneficiaries and persons entitled to notice
• Knowledge of court-supervised procedures to transfer property without probate (including spousal property petitions, Heggstad petitions, and affidavits regarding real property of small value)
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment
• Ability to handle multiple assignments efficiently and accurately
• Advanced proficiency with Office 365, Excel, Word and PowerPoint
• Licensed notary a plus
• Must be able to work in office 5 days at week for the first 90 days and then a hybrid work schedule of 3 days in the office.

Qualified candidates should submit their resume with a cover letter and salary requirement.

The salary range for this position is $90,000 - $127,000 - The actual base salary offered will depend on a variety of factors, including without limitation, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held.

Donahue Fitzgerald is an Equal Opportunity Employer