Senior Trusts & Estates Tax Paralegal

Overview

This role supports estate administration and related tax matters by assisting attorneys in administering estates, funding post-death irrevocable trusts, preparing documents, handling probate filings, and completing estate-related tax returns, along with client case management.

The position is open in the organization’s offices across the United States, with location in either St. Louis, Missouri or Phoenix, Arizona preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prepare a variety of tax returns, including Estate Tax Returns and Fiduciary Income Tax Returns.
• Maintain financial records of trusts; perform trust accounting and audit accounts.
• Maintain general ledger (G/L) accounts; reconcile broker statements; prepare payables and bank deposits.
• Obtain and reconcile 1099 and K-1 statements.
• Support irrevocable trust funding and administration (post-death).
• Support probate administration, including drafting probate pleadings.
• Maintain close contact with clients and financial advisors.
• Meet an annual billable hour requirement of 1600 hours.
• Develop technical proficiency in database use and management, internet/electronic research, and project folder/electronic file maintenance.
• Independently organize and manage files, or delegate similar tasks to appropriate professionals and supervise as needed.
• Sustain high attention to detail and quality of work.
• Learn and implement new tools, including legal AI (familiarity/experience preferred).
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Ability to deliver superior service to internal and external customers and communicate effectively.
• Ability to interact professionally and courteously with clients and employees at all times; professional appearance required.
• Strong organizational, time-management, and prioritization skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and adapt to changing business demands.
• Ability to produce accurate work efficiently and deliver a quality final work product.
• 8+ years of progressively responsible experience in Trusts & Estates, including complex estate and trust administration, and estate and fiduciary tax matters.
• Two-year degree required.
• Bachelor’s degree or Paralegal Certificate from an ABA approved program preferred; significant, substantive related experience may be considered in lieu of formal education.
• Excellent communication, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Proven success in a fast-paced, continually changing environment.
• Ability to prioritize and manage time effectively.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Familiarity with tax and trust accounting software.
• Experience with document database programs and/or software.
• Significant client case management experience.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively with little or no supervision and within established time limits and ongoing deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity and experience with adopting legal AI and ability to learn and implement new AI.

Compensation & Benefits

Employees are entitled to compensation commensurate with skill and experience. Exact compensation will vary based on skills, experience, location, and other factors permitted by law. Expected compensation ranges are:

• State of California: $86,000 - $139,000
• State of Colorado: $75,000 - $119,000
• State of Connecticut: $70,000 - $178,000
• State of Illinois: $64,000 - $125,000
• State of Maine: $60,000 - $139,000
• State of Maryland: $73,000 - $107,000
• State Massachusetts: $85,000 - $130,000
• State of Minnesota: $75,000 - $111,000
• Jersey City, NJ: $78,000 - $114,000
• State of New York: $66,000 - $125,000
• State of Virginia: $57,000 - $168,000
• State of Vermont: $87,000 - $168,000
• State of Washington: $88,000 - $134,000
• Washington, DC: $94,000 - $138,000

Location

Open in offices across the United States. Location in either St. Louis, Missouri or Phoenix, Arizona is preferred.

Additional Information

• A cover letter and resume are required when applying.
• Reasonable accommodations will be provided as necessary to allow individuals with disabilities to apply for and/or perform the essential functions of the position.
• EOE/Minority/Female/Disabled/Vet. Principal Applicants Only.