Trust & Estates Legal Assistant – Probate & Estate Planning

Orion Placement; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential Employer in Irvine, CA is seeking a seasoned Legal Assistant to support probate, trust, and estate planning matters. You will be the primary contact for clients and assist a senior attorney with calendar management and document preparation.

This on-site role requires 4+ years of probate experience, excellent Word/Excel skills, and discretion handling sensitive information. Join a collaborative team dedicated to long-term careers and professional growth.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of legal assistant experience in probate, trust, and estate planning.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary point of contact for probate, trust, and estate planning clients.

Skills

4+ years experience

Estate planning documents

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

probate terminology

Client-facing communication

Calendar management

Legal software

NetDocs

Executive support

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate's degree

Bachelor's degree

Paralegal certificate or estate planning training

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

NetDocs

Document management

Job description

• Join a growing, sophisticated legal practice serving high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families
• Build meaningful client relationships and become a trusted point of contact throughout complex estate and probate matters
• Work closely with a senior attorney in a highly visible role where your judgment, initiative, and client service skills are valued
• Take ownership of matters spanning estate planning, trust administration, probate support, and executive-level attorney support
• Join a collaborative, people-focused environment committed to long-term careers and professional growth
• Non-exempt position with overtime eligibility

Location:

Irvine, CA — Full-time, on-site opportunity in our Orange County office, offering close collaboration with attorneys, clients, and the broader legal team.

Note:

Candidates must have 4+ years of legal assistant experience specifically supporting probate, trust, and estate planning matters. Strong Microsoft Word and Excel skills are required, along with the confidence and professionalism to communicate directly with sophisticated clients.

About Us

We are a growing, full-service law firm serving business leaders, executives, entrepreneurs, and high-net-worth families. Our approach is personal, relationship-driven, and focused on providing exceptional service while creating an environment where talented professionals can build meaningful careers. We value collaboration, initiative, sound judgment, and people who take genuine pride in supporting clients and colleagues. Confidential Employer.

Job Description

• Serve as a primary point of contact for probate, trust, and estate planning clients
• Build strong client relationships through proactive communication, follow-up, and exceptional service
• Communicate professionally with high-net-worth individuals, families, financial advisors, family offices, and other trusted professionals
• Manage a senior attorney's calendar, appointments, priorities, travel, correspondence, and follow-up commitments
• Prepare, format, proofread, and finalize estate planning documents, correspondence, and client deliverables
• Coordinate estate planning meetings, document signings, notary appointments, and witness requirements
• Assist with probate court filings and organize filing packages under attorney direction
• Support trust administration and maintain organized estate planning and probate matter files
• Track probate deadlines, court hearing dates, trust administration timelines, and other critical dates
• Process correspondence with courts, beneficiaries, financial institutions, and other parties
• Maintain accurate client and matter information using document management and legal technology systems
• Handle highly sensitive family, financial, and estate information with discretion and confidentiality

Qualifications

• 4+ years of legal assistant experience in probate, trust, and estate planning
• Hands-on experience with estate planning documents, trust administration, and probate support
• Expert-level Microsoft Word and Excel skills
• Strong understanding of probate, trust, and estate planning terminology and procedures
• Excellent client-facing communication and relationship management skills
• Ability to independently manage calendars, deadlines, competing priorities, and attorney support needs
• Strong technical aptitude with legal software and AI-assisted platforms
• NetDocs or comparable document management system experience preferred
• Senior attorney or executive support experience strongly preferred
• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate's degree, bachelor's degree, paralegal certificate, or specialized estate planning training preferred

Why You Will Love Working Here

This is an opportunity to become an integral part of a sophisticated legal practice rather than simply providing behind-the-scenes administrative support. You'll build direct client relationships, work closely with senior legal professionals, and have meaningful ownership over the organization and service that keep complex matters moving. We value capable professionals who anticipate needs, exercise good judgment, and want their contributions to make a visible impact.