Senior Trusts & Estates Tax Paralegal

Overview

This position supports estate administration and related fiduciary tax matters by assisting attorneys with trust and probate administration, tax document preparation, and client case management. The role is open in multiple offices across the United States, with preferred locations in St. Louis, Missouri or Phoenix, Arizona.

Responsibilities

• Assist with estate administration matters, including:
  • Funding post-death irrevocable trusts
  • Preparing probate and estate-related documentation
  • Preparing and filing estate-related tax returns
  • Supporting client case management
• Prepare tax returns, including Estate Tax Returns and Fiduciary Income Tax Returns.
• Maintain financial records of trusts, including trust accounting, and audit trust accounts.
• Maintain general ledger (G/L) accounts, reconcile broker statements, and 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 annual billable hour requirement of 1600 hours.
• Develop and apply technical proficiency in:
  • Database use and management
  • Internet/electronic research
  • Project folder and electronic file maintenance
• Independently organize and manage files, or delegate similar tasks to appropriate business professionals and supervise as needed.
• Learn/develop familiarity with adopting legal AI; ability to learn and implement new AI preferred.
• Sustain attention to detail and quality of work.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Ability to deliver superior service to internal and external customers and communicate effectively.
• Ability to interact in a professional, courteous manner with clients and employees at all times; professional appearance required.
• Excellent organizational, time-management, and prioritization skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team and adapt to changing business demands.
• Ability to produce acceptable work efficiently and accurately, with quality final deliverables.

Position-Specific Requirements

• 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 working in a fast-paced, continually changing environment.
• 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.
• Highly organized; able to prioritize workflow and manage projects.
• Ability to perform effectively with little or no supervision and within established time limits and ongoing deadlines.

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation is commensurate with skill and experience. The exact compensation will vary based on skills, experience, location, and other factors permitted by law. Expected compensation ranges for this position include:

• State of California: $88,000 - $180,000
• Cleveland, Ohio: $85,000 - $125,000
• Columbus, Ohio: $82,000 - $121,000
• State of Colorado: $82,000 - $145,000
• State of Connecticut: $70,000 - $178,000
• State of Illinois: $80,000 - $155,000
• State of Maine: $60,000 - $139,000
• State of Maryland: $86,000 - $130,000
• State Massachusetts: $88,000 - $169,000
• State of Minnesota: $88,000 - $146,000
• Jersey City, NJ: $96,000 - $174,000
• State of New York: $82,000 - $178,000
• State of Virginia: $57,000 - $168,000
• State of Vermont: $87,000 - $168,000
• State of Washington: $86,000 - $164,000
• Washington, DC: $114,000 - $168,000

Location

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

Application Information

Please include a cover letter and resume when applying.

Equal Opportunity

EOE/Minority/Female/Disabled/Vet. Principal Applicants Only.