Trust & Estates Paralegal

Job Description

Trust & Estates Paralegal | LHH

The Tone:
This is a hybrid paralegal role based in Chicago, IL, supporting a reputable Chicago-based law firm’s private client practice. The firm specializes in delivering comprehensive legal services related to trusts and estates, assisting individuals with complex financial and family planning needs. This role is critical for ensuring the efficient handling of estate planning, administration, and tax-related matters, directly contributing to the firm’s client service excellence and the successful navigation of sensitive legal processes for their private clients.

The TL;DR
• Role: Experienced
• Type: Full-time
• Location: Hybrid, Chicago, IL
• Pay: $100000–$135000 yearly
• Team: Supports the private client practice within a reputable Chicago-based law firm
• Mission: Support private clients with expertise in estate planning, administration, and tax-related matters

What You’ll Actually Do
• Document Drafting: Draft and prepare comprehensive estate planning documents, including wills, various types of trusts, powers of attorney, and other related legal instruments.
• Estate Administration: Assist with all phases of estate administration, which involves executing probate filings, facilitating the collection of assets, and overseeing distribution processes.
• Tax Preparation: Coordinate and accurately prepare federal and state estate tax returns, specifically focusing on Forms 706 and other applicable state filings.
• Trust Management: Provide support for trust administration activities, encompassing the preparation of detailed accountings and managing clear communications with beneficiaries.
• File and Deadline Management: Maintain highly organized client files and diligently manage critical deadlines across multiple ongoing matters to ensure all tasks are completed promptly and accurately.

The Must-Haves
• Background: An experienced paralegal professional with a minimum of 4 years of dedicated trust and estates paralegal experience acquired specifically within a law firm environment.
• Experience: Possesses strong, practical experience in supporting both estate administration and comprehensive estate planning matters, coupled with familiarity regarding probate filings and specific court procedures in Illinois.
• Skills: Demonstrates a high degree of attention to detail, exhibits strong organizational skills to manage complex information, and possesses a proven ability to effectively manage and prioritize competing demands across multiple client cases.
• Bonus: Gift and estate tax experience is strongly preferred for this role, and a paralegal certificate or equivalent experience is also preferred.