Probate / Estate Planning Paralegal

Ascendion; Bethesda (MD); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Ascendion's client, a respected Trust and Estates law firm in Maryland, is seeking a highly motivated, organized Probate / Estate Planning Paralegal for a full-time position.

You will oversee probate, guardianship, and litigation support, handle pleadings, filings, discovery, and client communications, and assist attorneys with research, billing, and case management. Strong organizational and drafting skills required; salary range $100k–$140k base.

Qualifications

• Must have probate, trusts, conservatorships, guardianships and estate administration experience.
• Assist probate litigation attorneys in all stages of probate-related matters.
• Self-starter who can draft motions, discovery and legal correspondence.

Responsibilities

• Oversee probate process from initiation to conclusion, including pleadings, inventories, accountings and deadlines.
• Manage conservatorship, guardianship and elder abuse administration processes and filings.
• Support probate, trust and estate litigation: draft petitions, motions, discovery and trial prep.
• Conduct client interviews, maintain regular client communication and respond to inquiries.
• Conduct legal research and stay updated on probate and related laws and procedures.
• Handle billing, timekeeping and monthly client billings and trust retainer calls.

Skills

Probate administration

Civil litigation

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Basic accounting

Job description

My client is well respected Trust and Estates law firm that is looking for a highly motivated, organized, experienced full-time Probate / Estate Planning Paralegal

Responsibilities

Probate, Trust, Estate, Conservatorship, and Guardianship Administration: Oversee and manage the probate process from initiation to conclusion including prepare or draft, circulate, efile and serve necessary pleadings, declarations, supplements, proposed orders, inventory and appraisal, and probate code accountings; log and maintain case calendar deadline dates; legal research and report on case Probate Notes; work with case-relevant vendors for publication, bonding, probate referees, fiduciary bank accounts, realty insurers, realtors, court staff, court reporters, and the like; monitor and respond to estate creditor claims; ensure compliance with legal requirements, deadline observation and calendaring; communicate with clients.

Conservatorship, Guardianship and Elder Abuse Administration: Oversee and manage the case process from initiation to conclusion including prepare or draft, circulate, efile and serve necessary pleadings, declarations, supplements, proposed orders, post-appointment pleadings, inventory and appraisals, and probate code accountings; work with case-relevant vendors for bonding, fiduciary bank accounts, doctors, probate referees, realty insurers, realtors, court staff, court reporters, and the like; ensure compliance with legal requirements, deadline observation and calendaring; communicate with clients.

Probate, Trust & Estate Trial Litigation Support: Work closely with probate litigation attorneys to develop and manage probate, trust, estate, conservatorship, elder abuse, and guardianship litigation cases; draft relevant petitions, objections, declarations, proposed orders, discovery pleadings and client discovery responses; draft, circulate, efile and serve pretrial motions, points and authorities, declarations, exhibit and witness lists, statement of undisputed facts; matters for judicial notice; conduct legal research and writing as assigned; draft legal memoranda as needed; contact prospective lay and expert witnesses to arrange trial testimony time; coordinate and schedule trial calendars.

Litigation Case Screening: Conduct prospective client probate, trust, estate, Conservatorship, guardianship litigation case interviews; prepare prospective client intake summary; set and calendar appointments with attorneys.

Client Communication: Maintain regular communication with clients; update clients on the progress of their cases and promptly address client inquiries and concerns.

Legal Research: Conduct legal research on various probate, trusts and estate issues, civil litigation laws and trial procedures; stay up to date on changes in subject relevant laws, regulations and procedures.

Billing and Collections: Maintain digital client records in law firm’s software program. Oversee, manage and administer monthly client billings, from pre-bill review and revision to bill posting and distribution to clients; track outstanding account balances, trust retainer balances, and payments received; communicate with clients for payment and trust retainer replenishment.

Qualifications

• Strong familiarity and experience working with probate, trusts, conservatorships, guardianships and estate administration, civil litigation and procedures, Rules of Court and possess exceptional organizational, communication and basic accounting skills.
• The candidate must be responsible to assist our probate litigation attorneys in all stages of probate-related litigation matters.
• The candidate must be a self-starter who is comfortable drafting motions, discovery, legal correspondence, conducting research, scheduling, maintaining case files, and completing other case administration and management requests as needed.

Salary and Other Compensation

The annual salary for this position is between $100k-140k base. Factors which may affect pay within this range include geography/market, skills, education, experience, and other qualifications of the successful candidate.