Trust and Estates Paralegal - Private Client Services

Lathrop GPM LLP; Minneapolis (MN); Hybrid; USD 77,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Parental leave

Short/long-term disability

Job summary

Lathrop GPM LLP in Minneapolis, MN seeks a trust and estates paralegal with substantial real estate experience to support the Private Client Services group. Hybrid schedule, open to full-time or part-time arrangements, with a competitive compensation package.

The role covers real estate document management, tax, probate, and trust administration, with collaboration across attorneys and clients to ensure timely closings and fiduciary duties are fulfilled.

Qualifications

• Formal paralegal training from an accredited program, preferably a four-year degree program, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Minimum of three years’ experience working as a Real Estate or Trusts and Estates paralegal in a law firm.
• Conversant and comfortable with the laws that govern real estate, trusts, estates, probate and estate planning.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and client service skills.
• Superior organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal skills.
• Ability to organize, prioritize and execute numerous tasks under tight time constraints.
• Must be a team player and possess the ability to work effectively and efficiently in high pressure, time sensitive situations.
• Intermediate technical knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel.
• Basic technical knowledge of Simplifile or CCH.
• Must be willing to continue professional development as needed and requested by management

Responsibilities

• Prepare, review, and manage real estate documents such as deeds, leases, and closing materials.
• Coordinate all aspects of real estate transactions and closings within trusts and estates.
• Review titles, plats, surveys for accuracy and compliance.
• Assist with probate administration from start to finish.
• Support trust administration and fiduciary responsibilities.
• Prepare annual accountings for estates and trusts.
• Maintain dockets and calendars for court dates and deadlines.
• Communicate with clients, lenders, title companies, and other stakeholders regarding estate, trust, tax, and real estate matters.
• Assist with pleadings and filings for trust proceedings, guardianships, and conservatorships.

Skills

Paralegal training

Real estate experience

Client service

Organization

Written communication

Time management

Team player

Outlook

Word

Excel

Simplifile

CCH

Education

Paralegal certification or degree

Four-year degree preferred

CPA license a plus

Tools

Simplifile

CCH

Job description

Description

Lathrop GPM has an immediate need for a trust and estates paralegal with significant real estate experience in our Minneapolis, MN office to support attorneys in the Private Client Services practice group and to the firm to assist in management of client relationships and the practice of law. We are open to hiring this role on either a full-time or part-time basis and welcome applications from candidates interested in either arrangement. We are a full-service, Am Law 200 law firm with offices in Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Overland Park, Redwood City, Sacramento, San Jose, St. Cloud, St. Louis, and Washington, D.C. Our clients are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package, and a professional, challenging, yet comfortable hybrid working environment.

Real Estate

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• As part of the overall estate planning and administration work, prepare, review, and manage a wide range of real estate documents, including purchase agreements, deeds, leases, mortgages, promissory notes, closing documents, and related transactional materials.
• This may include conducting title and survey reviews, analyze title commitments and recorded documents, and coordinating resolution of title issues with title companies and other parties.
• Coordinate all aspects of real estate transactions and closings inside trusts and estates, including preparation of closing checklists, escrow instructions, closing statements, post-closing documents, recordings, and related materials.
• Review legal descriptions, plats, parcel maps, and surveys for accuracy and compliance.
• Serve as liaison among clients, lenders, title companies, surveyors, governmental agencies, and other transaction participants to facilitate successful transactions.

Tax

• Prepare and file federal and state estate tax returns.
• Prepare and file federal gift tax returns.
• Obtain federal tax identification numbers for estates and trusts and notify taxing authorities of fiduciary capacity.
• Review and analyze existing tax returns in support of estate, trust, and tax planning matters.

Probate

• Assist with all aspects of probate administration from commencement through closing.
• Prepare and electronically file probate court documents.
• Coordinate required mailed and published notices.
• Prepare inventories, accountings, and documents related to creditor claims.
• Maintain estate financial records and track estate administration activities.
• Assist clients with personal representative duties and probate procedures.

Trust Administration

• Assist with all aspects of administering revocable and irrevocable trusts, including trust administration following the death of a trustor.
• Prepare administrative documentation and support trustees in carrying out fiduciary responsibilities.
• Coordinate trust administration activities and work closely with attorneys to ensure timely and effective administration of trust matters.
• Support trust-related court proceedings and related filings as needed.

Assets And Financial Reporting

• Collect, organize, and verify asset information for estates and trusts for use in court filings, accountings, and tax returns.
• Review financial statements and work with attorneys, clients, financial institutions, and outside advisors to obtain and maintain necessary financial information.
• Prepare annual accountings for estates and trusts for court filing or beneficiary reporting, as applicable.
• Coordinate the transfer, titling, and distribution of assets for estates and trusts, including funding revocable trusts.
• Assist clients with life insurance, investment, and other asset-related claim forms and documentation.

Communication And Client Service

• Communicate with clients, beneficiaries, trustees, attorneys, accountants, financial advisors, brokers, court personnel, and other third parties regarding estate, trust, tax, and real estate matters.
• Participate in attorney-client meetings and assist with information gathering, document execution, and matter progression.
• Provide exceptional client service while maintaining confidentiality and professionalism in all interactions.

Additional Responsibilities

• Review and analyze wills, trusts, and other estate planning documents.
• Assist with preparation and electronic filing of pleadings and related documents for trust proceedings, guardianships, and conservatorships.
• Maintain dockets and calendars to monitor court dates, filing deadlines, and other important events.
• Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned.

Requirements

• Formal paralegal training from an accredited program, preferably a four-year degree program, or equivalent relevant experience; CPA license a plus
• Minimum of three years’ experience working as a Real Estate or Trusts and Estates paralegal in a law firm
• Conversant and comfortable with the laws that govern real estate, trusts, estates, probate and estate planning
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and client service skills
• Superior organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent written and verbal skills
• Ability to organize, prioritize and execute numerous tasks under tight time constraints
• Must be a team player and possess the ability to work effectively and efficiently in high pressure, time sensitive situations
• Intermediate technical knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel
• Basic technical knowledge of Simplifile or CCH.
• Must be willing to continue professional development as needed and requested by management

Current anticipated salary range for applicants as required by applicable state law in MN is $77,000 - $110,000 depending on experience, actual salary will vary and may be above or below the range. Full comprehensive benefit plan including health care, retirement plan and paid days off, including PTO, parental leave, and short/long term disability.

The application window is anticipated to close on or after November 19, 2026.

We celebrate and support diversity and the benefits it brings to our workplaces, clients and communities. We are proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action workplace employer. It is the employment policy and practice of Lathrop GPM to recruit and hire employees without discrimination because of race, color, sex, gender, religion, age, national origin, military status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other status protected by applicable law.

Lathrop GPM LLP offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, and a professional, challenging, yet comfortable working environment. Lathrop GPM does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiting agencies. Any resume submitted to any employee of Lathrop GPM without prior approval from an HR Manager will be considered unsolicited and the property of Lathrop GPM.

EOE/M/F/D/V NO PHONE CALLS