Trust & Estates Paralegal

Friedman Williams; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Friedman Williams is seeking an experienced Trust & Estates Paralegal to support its Private Client practice in New York City or Philadelphia. You will manage estate and trust administration, assist with fiduciary tax compliance, and collaborate with attorneys, accountants and high-net-worth clients.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in estate and trust administration, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to independently manage complex matters with minimal

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree is required; paralegal certificate is preferred.
• Experience in estate and trust administration and fiduciary taxation is essential.
• Strong written and verbal communication, organizational and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage estate and trust administration matters from inception to completion, including probate petitions, court filings, asset collection and valuation.
• Prepare and assist with federal and state estate, inheritance, gift, and fiduciary income tax returns.
• Coordinate with accountants and tax preparers to gather financial information and meet tax deadlines.
• Prepare estate and trust accountings and agreements for informal settlements of accounts.
• Maintain accurate financial records and confidential files for high-net-worth clients.

Skills

Estate & trust administration

Fiduciary taxation

Communication

Organization

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree

Paralegal certificate preferred

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Zane

CCH Axcess

ONESOURCE

Job description

A leading law firm is seeking an experienced Trust & Estates Paralegal to support its Private Client practice in New York City or Philadelphia. This role will manage estate and trust administration matters, assist with fiduciary tax compliance, and work closely with attorneys, accountants, fiduciaries, and high-net-worth clients.

The ideal candidate has a strong background in estate and trust administration, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to independently manage complex matters with minimal supervision.

Key Responsibilities

• Independently manage estate and trust administration matters from inception through completion, including probate petitions, court filings, asset collection and valuation, and communications with fiduciaries and beneficiaries.
• Prepare and assist with federal and state estate, inheritance, gift, individual income, and fiduciary income tax returns.
• Coordinate with accountants and tax preparers to gather financial information, prepare supporting documentation, and meet tax filing deadlines.
• Prepare estate and trust accountings and agreements for the informal settlement of accounts.
• Maintain accurate financial records and supporting documentation for tax filings, accountings, and ongoing administration.
• Monitor deadlines and manage multiple estate, trust, and tax matters simultaneously.
• Communicate with clients, attorneys, accountants, banks, investment advisors, and government agencies regarding administration matters.
• Maintain comprehensive and confidential files for high-net-worth individuals, families, and related estates and trusts.
• Develop and implement strategies for assigned matters, identifying potential issues and resolving routine challenges independently.
• Keep current with applicable laws, regulations, and procedural requirements.
• Provide regular status updates to attorneys and team members, proactively flagging issues and tracking outstanding items.
• Prepare clear, concise, and client-ready correspondence, documentation, and reports.
• Respond effectively to urgent assignments, changing priorities, and complex administrative needs.
• Support and mentor junior paralegals as appropriate.
• Accurately record billable and non-billable time and perform additional duties as needed to support the Private Client practice.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; paralegal certificate preferred.
• Minimum of five years of relevant experience in estate and trust administration, fiduciary taxation, or private wealth matters within a law firm, trust company, accounting firm, or financial institution.
• Experience preparing federal and state estate, inheritance, gift, individual income, and fiduciary income tax returns.
• Strong knowledge of probate procedures, estate and trust accountings, and fiduciary administration.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to independently manage competing priorities, meet strict deadlines, and produce accurate, high-quality work with minimal supervision.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with sound judgment and discretion when handling confidential information.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word and Excel.
• Experience with fiduciary tax preparation software such as Zane, CCH Axcess, ONESOURCE, or similar platforms is a plus.
• A collaborative, proactive approach and a demonstrated commitment to professional growth and continuous improvement.