Trusts & Estates Paralegal

Johnston Allison Hord; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Johnston, Allison & Hord is seeking an experienced paralegal to support the Trusts & Estates Group in Charlotte, NC. Responsibilities include estate planning, probate, estate tax filings, and succession planning.

A college degree and/or paralegal certificate is preferred, and a Notary is required. The candidate should be technologically proficient with Microsoft Office and a legal time and billing system, with strong organizational and communication skills to handle multiple estates efficiently

Qualifications

• Proven ability to manage large volumes of documents with accuracy.
• Experience supporting trusts, estates, probate or family law.
• Notary is required by the role.

Responsibilities

• Collect and organize decedent financial records and tax returns.
• Assist attorneys in drafting wills, revocable/irrevocable trusts with tax provisions.
• Manage estate administration and probate filings from start to finish.
• Prepare guardianship and distribution documents; assist with tax filings.
• Support estate tax filings at federal and state levels.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Typing and proofreading

Strong communication

Organizational skills

Education

Paralegal certificate

Bachelor's degree (preferred)

Notary (required)

Tools

Time & Billing system

Legal document management software

Job description

The law firm of Johnston, Allison & Hord is seeking an experienced paralegal to support the Trusts & Estates Group with estate planning, probate, estate tax filings, succession planning, and aspects of family law, among other legal matters. Some responsibilities include:

Collect, analyze and organize decedent’s financial records, including financial statements, corporate documents, ownership of assets, and estate, gift and income tax returns

Assist attorneys in drafting of wills, revocable trusts with tax planning provisions, irrevocable trusts, flow charts, and other estate planning documents, and estate litigation documents

Manage estate administration process from beginning to end for multiple estates

Prepare probate and administration documents for formal and informal proceedings

Value decedent’s assets at the date of death and the applicable alternate value date(s) and determine liabilities of the estate

Prepare required documents in connection with release of federal and state estate tax liens on real property and prepare deeds transferring real property to beneficiaries

Consider post-mortem estate planning and prepare disclaimer documents

Prepare U.S. and non-resident estate tax returns;

Prepare required documents in connection with the distribution of general and specific bequests, interim and residuary distributions and funding of testamentary trusts

Compile materials required in connection with an audit of estate and/or inheritance tax returns

Prepare and file Accountings and related settlement documents

Special projects and duties, as assigned

Specific functions may change from time to time

This position requires excellent organizational skills to maintain a high volume of documents, excellent attention to detail, strong communication skills, accurate typing and proofreading skills, and the ability to handle several projects at one time and meet multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

The qualified candidate must be technologically savvy with a strong knowledge in working with Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and Excel) and have experience using a legal time and billing system.

College degree and/or paralegal certificate is preferred and Notary is required.

We offer an excellent salary and benefits package.