Trust and Estates Paralegal

About us:

The DeAngelus Group, PLLC is a well-established, mid-size law firm with locations in Clifton Park, Schenectady and Saratoga, NY with additional offices in Florida.  Our primary practice groups offer legal services in real estate transactions; estate planning and administration; business formation and advisory services.   Our Trusts and Estates group is known for its compassionate and personal approach, helping families and individuals through difficult situations with confidence.  We are seeking a skilled, detail-oriented and personable paralegal to join our team. 

About the Role: 

The Trust and Estates Paralegals play a crucial role in supporting attorneys in the administration of estates and trusts, ensuring that all legal documents are prepared accurately and efficiently. As a paralegal, you will assist with estate planning, trust administration, probate matters, elder law, and related tasks, supporting the firm in providing professional legal services in a compassionate and friendly way. Additionally, the role requires maintaining organized records and files, facilitating communication between clients and attorneys, and managing deadlines for various legal processes. Ultimately, the Trust and Estates Paralegal contribute to the smooth operation of the legal team, helping clients navigate complex estate matters with confidence and clarity. This role requires strong organizational skills, a keen eye for detail, and the ability to manage sensitive client information with discretion.

The posted pay scale is estimated. The salary is dependent on the candidate's experience and qualifications.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum of 2 years of experience as a paralegal, preferably in Trust and Estate law.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel and Outlook).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, capable of writing business letters.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and manage deadlines.
• High level of professionalism and confidentiality when handling sensitive client matters.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Working knowledge of basic trusts and estates concepts, and experience working with the New York State Court system.
• Experience with Clio, our case management software.
• Ability to collaborate as a team to problem-solve and improve office procedures.

Responsibilities:

• Draft and review estate planning documents, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney and healthcare proxies.
• Assist with probate and trust administration, including preparing court filings, inventories and accountings. Client Engagement, with the primary responsibility for moving files along.
• Organize and maintain client files.
• Communicate with clients, beneficiaries, and financial institutions to gather necessary information and facilitate the estate administration process.
• Prepare correspondence, forms, and other documents for attorney review and client signatures.
• Assist in preparation of estate, gift and income tax returns.
• Manage deadlines and ensure timely filing of legal documents with appropriate courts and agencies.