Estate Planning & Probate Paralegal

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced and highly organized Paralegal to join our team. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of five years of hands-on experience working with decedent estates, trusts, wills, and probate matters and will be comfortable managing multiple matters from inception through completion.

This position requires strong knowledge of estate administration and probate procedures, exceptional attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to work independently while collaborating closely with attorneys, clients, fiduciaries, financial institutions, and other professionals.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist attorneys with the administration of decedent estates, including probate and non-probate assets.
• Prepare and organize documents required for probate proceedings and estate administration.
• Assist with preparation and filing of probate petitions, inventories, accountings, affidavits, notices, and other court documents.
• Coordinate with executors, administrators, trustees, beneficiaries, financial institutions, accountants, appraisers, and other professionals.
• Assist with trust administration, including gathering and valuing trust assets, communicating with beneficiaries, and maintaining trust records.
• Review and organize wills, trusts, powers of attorney, beneficiary designations, and related estate-planning documents.
• Track estate assets, liabilities, distributions, deadlines, and court requirements.
• Assist with estate tax and fiduciary income tax matters by coordinating with attorneys and accountants and gathering necessary documentation.
• Prepare correspondence and communicate professionally with clients, beneficiaries, courts, financial institutions, and other third parties.
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive estate files and records.
• Monitor deadlines and ensure timely completion of filings, notices, accountings, and distributions.
• Assist attorneys in preparing for probate hearings, estate settlements, and other proceedings.
• Conduct research and obtain documentation relating to estate assets, beneficiaries, creditors, and other matters as needed.
• Manage multiple estate and trust matters simultaneously while maintaining a high level of accuracy and confidentiality.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of paralegal experience, with substantial experience specifically in trusts and estates, probate, and estate administration.
• Strong working knowledge of decedent estates, wills, trusts, probate procedures, and estate administration.
• Experience preparing and filing probate and estate-related court documents.
• Familiarity with estate and trust accounting and financial documentation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational abilities.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet strict deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a professional, client-service-oriented approach.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment while knowing when to seek attorney guidance.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, document management systems, and standard legal technology.

We are a small, well-established law firm located in Plantsville, Connecticut, specializing in conservatorships, probate, estate administration, and estate planning. We pride ourselves on providing personalized, attentive service to our clients while handling often complex and sensitive legal matters with professionalism, discretion, and compassion.