Probate Attorney

NACBA; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

Dental insurance

Employee assistance program

Flexible spending account

Health insurance

Health savings account

Life insurance

Paid time off

Referral program

Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Job summary

NACBA is seeking an experienced Probate Attorney to join our Phoenix practice. The ideal candidate handles probate, trust administration, and estate matters with minimal supervision, managing active caseloads, client relationships, pleadings, and court appearances as needed.

Ideal candidates will have strong fiduciary experience, reliable drafting skills, and the ability to work both transactionally and in contested proceedings.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• Active license to practice law in Arizona.
• Four-plus years of probate, trust, estate administration, or related litigation experience.
• Ability to manage probate and fiduciary matters independently with limited supervision.
• Experience with transactional probate administration and contested probate or trust litigation.
• Strong writing, research, and analytical abilities; professional client communication.

Responsibilities

• Handle probate, trust administration, estate administration, and related fiduciary matters from intake through resolution.
• Prepare, review, and file petitions, pleadings, inventories, accountings, notices, and related court filings.
• Advise personal representatives, trustees, beneficiaries, heirs, and others on probate and trust administration issues.
• Manage both contested and uncontested probate proceedings, including will/trust disputes and creditor issues.
• Appear in probate court for hearings, conferences, and contested matters.
• Draft and negotiate settlements and other estate/trust documents.
• Conduct legal research and develop litigation or resolution strategies.
• Communicate with clients, opposing counsel, fiduciaries, and court personnel.
• Maintain organized case files, deadlines, and timely obligations.
• Collaborate with attorneys, paralegals, and staff while handling assigned matters.

Skills

Client communication

Legal research

Drafting & filings

Court appearances

Caseload management

Fiduciary matters

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Active AZ Bar license

Job description

Probate Attorney

Experienced Probate, Trust, and Estate Administration Attorney

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Probate Attorney to join our firm as a lateral hire. The ideal candidate will have meaningful probate, trust, and estate administration experience and be comfortable handling matters independently with minimal supervision. This role is intended for an attorney who already understands probate practice and can step into an active caseload, manage client relationships, prepare and file pleadings and transactional documents, and appear in court as needed.

Key Responsibilities

Handle probate, trust administration, estate administration, and related fiduciary matters from intake through resolution.

Prepare, review, and file probate petitions, pleadings, inventories, accountings, notices, orders, settlement documents, and related court filings.

Advise personal representatives, trustees, beneficiaries, heirs, and other interested parties regarding probate and trust administration issues.

Manage contested and uncontested probate proceedings, including will contests, trust disputes, fiduciary disputes, creditor issues, and beneficiary disputes.

Appear in probate court for hearings, conferences, and contested matters.

Draft and negotiate settlement agreements, releases, non-judicial settlement agreements, and other documents related to estate and trust administration.

Conduct legal research, analyze probate statutes and procedural rules, and develop litigation and resolution strategies.

Communicate directly with clients, opposing counsel, fiduciaries, court personnel, financial professionals, and other advisors.

Maintain organized case files, manage deadlines, and ensure timely completion of court and client obligations.

Work collaboratively with attorneys, paralegals, and staff while independently managing assigned matters.

Preferred Experience

Experience handling matters involving fiduciary accountings, trust modifications, or related probate disputes.

Familiarity with estate planning documents, trust interpretation, fiduciary duties, and beneficiary rights.

Prior responsibility for managing a caseload, developing case strategy, and working with paralegals or support staff.

Portable business or demonstrated interest in business development is welcome but not required.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a practical, self-sufficient attorney who enjoys probate work and can handle matters with confidence, sound judgment, and professionalism. This position is best suited for an attorney who has already developed a working knowledge of probate procedure and fiduciary practice, rather than an attorney seeking entry-level training in the practice area.

About the Role

This is an opportunity for an experienced probate attorney to join a busy practice and contribute immediately. The attorney in this role will have direct client contact, meaningful responsibility, and the opportunity to work on both transactional administration matters and contested proceedings.

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Vision insurance
• Work Location: In person

Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.

Active license to practice law and good standing with the State Bar of Arizona.

Four or more years of relevant probate, trust, estate administration, or related litigation experience.

Demonstrated ability to manage probate and fiduciary matters independently with limited supervision.

Experience with both transactional probate administration and contested probate or trust litigation.

Strong legal writing, drafting, research, and analytical skills.

Excellent judgment, professionalism, and client communication skills.

Ability to manage deadlines, prioritize competing matters, and maintain attention to detail in a busy practice.

Comfortable working directly with clients during sensitive family, fiduciary, and estate-related disputes.