Trusts & Estates Paralegal

Beacon Hill; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Beacon Hill is seeking a Trusts & Estates Paralegal in Chicago to support a Private Wealth practice. The role entails assisting attorneys with probate and estate administration, preparing filings, and coordinating with fiduciaries and financial institutions.

The position offers a hybrid schedule (one in-office day/week) with a 35-hour work week, overtime eligibility, and a 1,300-hour annual billable requirement. Salary ranges from $85k to $125k depending on experience.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of Trusts & Estates paralegal experience, including probate and estate administration.
• Excellent organizational, detail-oriented, and client-facing skills.
• Ability to manage deadlines while maintaining accuracy.

Responsibilities

• Assist attorneys with probate and estate administration matters from inception through closing.
• Prepare and file probate pleadings, petitions, inventories, accountings, notices, receipts, and related court documents.
• Coordinate with probate courts, fiduciaries, beneficiaries, financial institutions, accountants, and other third parties.
• Monitor probate deadlines and court schedules.
• Gather, organize, and analyze estate asset information.
• Assist with the administration of revocable and irrevocable trusts.
• Prepare trust funding and transfer documentation.
• Coordinate trust distributions to beneficiaries.
• Maintain trust records and fiduciary accountings.
• Draft correspondence and communicate professionally with clients and third parties.
• Maintain case files, calendars, and docketing systems.
• Conduct legal and factual research and assist with special projects as needed.

Skills

Estate administration

Client communications

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Education

Paralegal certificate or Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Legal doc management systems

Case management software

Job description

A well-respected Chicago law firm is seeking a Trusts & Estates Paralegal to join its growing Private Wealth practice. This is a full-time opportunity supporting attorneys with sophisticated estate administration, probate, and trust matters in a collaborative and client-focused environment.

The position offers a hybrid schedule with only one in-office day per week for experienced paralegals, a 35-hour work week (typically 9:00 AM-5:00 PM), overtime eligibility, and an annual billable requirement of 1,300 hours. The salary range for this position is $85k-$125k, depending on experience.

The ideal candidate will have 3+ years of Trusts & Estates paralegal experience, including significant probate and estate administration experience. Candidates should be highly organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable working directly with clients, fiduciaries, beneficiaries, and outside professionals.

Skills required and Job Duties include the following:

Job Duties:

• Assist attorneys with probate and estate administration matters from inception through closing
• Prepare and file probate pleadings, petitions, inventories, accountings, notices, receipts, and related court documents
• Coordinate with probate courts, fiduciaries, beneficiaries, financial institutions, accountants, and other third parties
• Monitor probate deadlines and court schedules
• Gather, organize, and analyze estate asset information
• Assist with the administration of revocable and irrevocable trusts
• Prepare trust funding and transfer documentation
• Coordinate trust distributions to beneficiaries
• Maintain trust records and fiduciary accountings
• Draft correspondence and communicate professionally with clients and third parties
• Maintain case files, calendars, and docketing systems
• Conduct legal and factual research and assist with special projects as needed

Qualifications:

• 3+ years of Trusts & Estates paralegal experience
• Significant experience handling probate and estate administration matters
• Experience preparing probate court filings and related documentation
• Knowledge of fiduciary accountings and estate tax matters
• Understanding of corporate and real estate matters as they relate to estate planning clients
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and legal document management systems
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines while maintaining a high level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Paralegal certificate or Bachelor's degree preferred

Beacon Hill is an equal opportunity employer and individuals with disabilities and/or protected veterans are encouraged to apply.

California residents: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

Benefits Information:

Beacon Hill offers a robust benefit package including, but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, and federal and state leave programs as required by applicable agency regulations to those that meet eligibility. Upon successfully being hired, details will be provided related to our benefit offerings.