Estate Planning Paralegal - Integrated Talent Strategies

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Estate Planning Matters:

• Use HotDocs software to produce estate planning documents for clients, including Wills, Trusts, and Durable Powers of Attorney.
• Create gift tax planning documents, such as irrevocable trusts and related paperwork.

Trusts:

• Prepare fiduciary income tax returns for trusts and notify beneficiaries of their tax obligations via IRS Schedules K-1.
• Draft gift tax returns.
• Maintain a calendar system for tax deadlines.
• Assess and verify asset values as of the date of death and alternate valuation dates, including bank balances, and prepare inventory.
• Prepare accountings for estates and trusts.
• Draft final settlements and orders for final distribution.
• Manage the transfer of assets into trusts, such as bank accounts, stock transfers, and real estate deeds.
• Disburse income payments to trust beneficiaries.
• Draft necessary petitions and proposed orders.
• Keep financial records of trusts.
• Communicate with trust grantors and beneficiaries.
• Draft inventories, accounts, and petitions for trusts requiring adjudication.
• Prepare pleadings for the registration or termination of trusts and the appointment or substitution of trustees.

Guardianship:

• Draft petitions to initiate proceedings, personal well-being reports, notices of right to appeal annual and final accounts, restoration to capacity documents, and closing documents.
• Prepare accountings for guardianship and/or conservatorship.
• Conduct preliminary asset valuation for wards/conservatees.

Estate Administration:

• Maintain a calendar system for estate administration deadlines and court dates.
• Obtain the will and draft documents for filing with probate court.
• Prepare and file documents to initiate probate proceedings, and liaise with court personnel while identifying interested parties such as heirs, devisees, contingent beneficiaries, and creditors.
• Evaluate and verify asset values as of the date of death and alternate valuation dates, including bank balances, and prepare inventory.
• Coordinate with out-of-state attorneys for ancillary proceedings, manage creditor and debtor information, and determine the status of life and health insurance benefits.
• Publish creditor notices in local newspapers.
• Review creditor claims, present them to the estate representative for approval, and submit claims to the court.
• File life insurance and other death benefit claims.
• Obtain and review income tax returns and financial records.
• Manage estate bank accounts and investments.
• Conduct preliminary analysis of decedent's assets for investment, sale, liquidity, and beneficiary needs.
• Prepare individual, estate, fiduciary income, and gift tax returns.
• Collect documentation for tax return audits.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Proficiency with online legal research services and legal resources.
• Intermediate to advanced skills in Microsoft Excel and HotDocs.
• Experience with tax software programs.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor's Degree and Paralegal Certification from an ABA-approved program are required.