Trust & Estate Paralegal

LHH; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision insurance

401(k) with employer contribution

Generous paid time off and company hol

Life and disability insurance

Professional development

Job summary

LHH seeks an experienced Trust & Estate Paralegal to support its estate planning and administration team in Chicago. You will handle probate administration, trust administration, and tax matters in a collaborative, client-focused environment.

Candidates should have 5+ years of trust/estate experience, a paralegal certificate, and strong detail orientation. Gift tax filings experience is required; a background in accounting or tax is a plus.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in trust and estate administration, estate planning, or tax preparation.
• Must have experience with gift tax filings.
• Paralegal certificate from an ABA-approved program required; bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Background in accounting or tax is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Manage all phases of probate administration, including petitions, inventories, accountings, and court documents.
• Support trust administration, including asset transfers, valuations, and distributions to beneficiaries.
• Coordinate asset collection with financial institutions and prepare tax reporting summaries.

Skills

Probate procedures

Fiduciary accounting

Tax filings

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Independent work

Education

Paralegal certificate (ABA-approved)

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

MS Word

MS Excel

MS Outlook

Document management systems

Job description

Salary Range: $90,000 – $120,000 annually (commensurate with experience)

A well-established and growing legal practice is seeking an experienced Trust & Estate Paralegal to support its estate planning and administration team. This role offers the opportunity to work on sophisticated probate, trust administration, and tax matters within a collaborative, client-focused environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage all phases of probate administration, including preparation and filing of petitions, inventories, accountings, and related court documents
• Support trust administration, including asset transfers, valuations, and distributions to beneficiaries
• Coordinate asset collection, communicate with financial institutions, and prepare summaries for tax reporting
• Assist with preparation of federal and state estate tax returns, fiduciary income tax returns, and gift tax filings
• Serve as a point of contact for clients, trustees, beneficiaries, and outside advisors
• Conduct research on tax regulations and compliance requirements
• Maintain organized electronic case files and monitor deadlines to ensure timely filings

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in trust and estate administration, estate planning, or tax preparation
• Must have experience with gift tax fillings
• Paralegal certificate from an ABA-approved program required; bachelor’s degree preferred
• Background in accounting or tax is a plus

Skills & Expertise

• Strong knowledge of probate procedures, fiduciary accounting, and tax filings
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and document management systems
• Experience with tax or accounting software preferred
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Professional, empathetic approach when working with clients in sensitive situations
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with employer contribution
• Generous paid time off and company holidays
• Life and disability insurance
• Professional development and continuing education support

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

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The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

The California Fair Chance Act

Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance

Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers