Senior Trusts & Estates Tax Paralegal

Overview

This position supports estate administration and trusts & estates tax matters by assisting attorneys in managing estates, funding post-death irrevocable trusts, preparing documents, and preparing probate and estate-related tax filings.

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

Responsibilities

• Assist with a full range of estate administration matters, including:
  • Preparing Estate Tax Returns and Fiduciary Income Tax Returns
  • Funding irrevocable trusts post-death
  • Probate administration, including drafting of probate pleadings
  • Preparing required documents and filing estate-related tax returns
  • Performing client case management
• Maintain and audit trust and financial records, including:
  • Trust accounting and auditing of accounts
  • Maintaining G/L accounts and reconciling broker statements
  • Preparing payables and bank deposits
  • Obtaining and reconciling 1099 and K-1 statements
• Maintain client and advisor communications, including close personal contact with clients and financial advisors.
• Meet an annual billable hour requirement of 1600 hours.
• Develop and maintain 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.
• Demonstrate familiarity with adopting legal AI and the 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 professionally and courteously with clients and employees at all times; professional appearance required.
• Excellent organizational, time-management, and prioritization skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and adapt to changing business demands.
• Ability to produce acceptable amounts of work efficiently and accurately, with a high-quality final work product.
• 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.
• 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 with the ability to prioritize workflow and manage projects.
• Ability to perform effectively with little or no supervision and within established time limits and ongoing deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

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

Compensation & Benefits

Employees are entitled to compensation commensurate with skill and experience. The exact compensation will vary based on skills, experience, location, and other factors permitted by law. Expected compensation ranges:

• 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 of 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 St. Louis, Missouri or Phoenix, Arizona is preferred.

Additional Information

• Cover letter and resume required when applying.
• Equal Opportunity statement: EOE/Minority/Female/Disabled/Vet.
• Principal Applicants Only.