Probate/Estate Planning Paralegal

Default Brand; Bluffton (SC); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Burr & Forman LLP in Bluffton, SC seeks a full-time, experienced probate/estate planning paralegal to support a dynamic legal team. The role requires handling complex tasks with knowledge of probate processes and estate administration.

Ideal candidates will have a bachelor’s degree or paralegal certification, at least two years of probate/estate planning experience, and strong organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, paralegal certification or degree, and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Two or more years of probate/estate planning experience.
• Knowledge of legal process, principles and practices required in probating estate assets and responsibilities of personal representatives with regard to estate tax procedures for decedents.
• Highly organized, detail-orientated, proactive with a desire to take ownership as a contributing member of the team.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Review and respond to client and attorney inquiries about scope of work, fees, and expenses related to estate administration.
• Review and analyze estate documents including wills, deeds, death certificates, trust agreements, affidavits, and estate tax returns.
• Coordinate identification of personal and real property assets, heirs, and devisees.
• Assist in obtaining appraisals and determining date of death valuations.
• Prepare petitions and documents to open ancillary and in-state administrations and obtain appointment of personal representatives.
• Prepare correspondence and documents to beneficiaries reporting on administration status.
• Prepare property transfer documents for recording with the Register of Deeds.
• Review date of death valuations and prepare Non-Resident Tax Notices to probate Judge and taxing authorities.
• Coordinate disbursement of estate expenses and reconcile monthly valuations.
• Log, store, and distribute documents to clients; assist with other duties as needed.

Skills

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Effective communication

Legal terminology knowledge

Microsoft Word

Education

Bachelor's degree

Paralegal certification

Tools

Case management software

Job description

Burr & Forman LLP has an immediate opening in our Bluffton, SC office for a full-time, experienced probate/estate planning paralegal. This role involves performing complex paralegal tasks that require knowledge of legal terminology and processes. The ideal candidate should possess strong organizational and communication skills, and an ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently.Proficiency in Microsoft Word and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment are essential. This position offers an opportunity to contribute significantly to the legal team while managing a variety of responsibilities.

KEY CONTRIBUTIONS

• Review and respond to initial contact or correspondence from clients and attorneys with information regarding the scope of work, fees, and expenses related to estate administration
• Review and analyze estate documents including, wills, deeds, death certificates, trust agreements, affidavits, and estate tax returns
• Assist with the coordination and identification of personal and real property estate assets, heirs and devisees
• Assist in search of documentation or coordination of appraisals to determine date of death valuations of estate assets and real property
• Prepare petitions, documents, and correspondence required to open ancillary administrations and in-state administrations, obtain appointment of personal representative(s), and follow through to closing of estate by Probate Court and Taxing Authorities
• Prepare correspondence and applicable documents, including court documents, to beneficiaries to report on status of administration
• Prepare property transfer documents, including deeds, deeds of distribution, and attorney affidavits for filing with the Register of Deeds
• Review date of death valuations and preparation and coordination of Non-Resident Tax Notices to probate Judge, estate tax returns, and related correspondence to Taxing Authorities
• Prepare requests for disbursement of expenses related to estate administration
• Reconcile monthly estate valuations
• Coordinate appointments, assemble and distribute documents to clients, and log and store documents
• Other responsibilities as needed

THE ESSENTIALS

• Bachelor’s degree, paralegal certification or degree, and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Two or more years of probate/estate planning experience
• Knowledge of legal process, principles and practices required in probating estate assets and responsibilities of personal representatives with regard to estate tax procedures for decedents
• Highly organized, detail-orientated, proactive with a desire to take ownership as a contributing member of the team
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills