Senior Trusts & Estates Tax Paralegal

Overview

This role supports estate administration and trusts & estates tax matters by assisting attorneys in administering estates, funding post-death irrevocable trusts, preparing documents, managing probate processes, and preparing and filing estate-related tax returns.

Responsibilities

• Prepare various 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).
• Assist with probate administration, including drafting of probate pleadings.
• Maintain close personal 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 business professionals and supervise as needed.
• Learn and implement legal AI tools when applicable (experience adopting legal AI preferred).
• Maintain attention to detail and work quality.
• 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 and adapt to changing business demands.
• Ability to produce an acceptable volume of accurate work efficiently and deliver quality final work products.

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 ABA approved program preferred; significant, substantive related experience may be considered in lieu of formal education.
• Excellent communication, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated success working in a fast-paced, continually changing environment.
• Ability to prioritize with excellent time management.
• 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 on-going deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

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

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 by location:

• 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 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

This position is open in any of the organization’s offices; location in either St. Louis, Missouri or Phoenix, Arizona is preferred.

Application Requirements / Additional Information

• Please include a cover letter and resume when applying.
• Reasonable accommodations will be provided as necessary to allow an individual with a disability to apply for and/or perform the essential functions of a position.
• EOE/Minority/Female/Disabled/Vet. Principal Applicants Only.