Estate & Wealth Planning Specialist in Franklin Park, Illinois

Estate & Wealth Planning Specialist

We are seeking a dedicated and analytical Estate & Wealth Planning Specialist to serve as the technical subject matter expert on all aspects of estate, gift, and wealth transfer planning for a partner firm in Chicago. This role focuses on reviewing complex estate planning documents, designing sophisticated gifting and wealth transfer strategies, and guiding high-net-worth clients through estate administration and tax compliance.

It offers the opportunity to shape multi-generational wealth strategies while partnering with advisory teams to deliver a unified, holistic client experience. The ideal candidate has a deep technical understanding of tax laws and wealth preservation strategies.

While Juris Doctor (JD)/Attorney candidates are strongly preferred to facilitate potential document drafting, we will also strongly consider highly specialized CPAs with extensive experience in estate and trust taxation.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Review, analyze, and interpret complex estate planning documents-including wills, revocable/irrevocable trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives-to align client portfolios with legal intentions.
• Design, model, and implement sophisticated gifting strategies (e.g., GRATs, IDGTs, ILITs, CLTs/CRTs, and annual exclusion gifting) to minimize tax exposure and maximize wealth transfer across generations.
• Prepare and review federal and state gift tax returns (Form 709), estate tax returns (Form 706), and estate and trust income tax returns (Form 1041), ensuring strict compliance with current tax codes.
• Guide clients through the estate administration process, managing post-mortem tax planning, asset valuations, and state/federal tax filings.
• Build clear, comprehensive estate planning schematics and cash-flow flowcharts to illustrate complex multi-generational structures for clients.
• Audit and advise clients on proper asset titling and beneficiary designations to ensure seamless probate avoidance and alignment with overall estate plans.
• Partner closely with internal consultants and advisory teams to deliver a unified, holistic wealth management experience for high-net-worth clients.
• Stay current on federal and state tax developments, planning strategies, and industry best practices while ensuring adherence to regulatory and firm policies.

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (JD) with active bar admission in good standing preferred; LL.M. in Taxation or Estate Planning is a strong plus.
• Alternatively, Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with a specialized focus in estate, trust, and gift taxation would also be accepted.
• 3-5+ years of dedicated professional experience in estate planning, trust administration, and tax preparation within a law firm, CPA firm, or wealth management practice.
• Comprehensive understanding of federal estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax laws, as well as fiduciary accounting principles.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the proven ability to translate complex legal and tax concepts into clear, actionable advice for high-net-worth clients.
• Meticulous analytical skills with a high degree of accuracy in tax return preparation, document review, and estate modeling.

Compensation:

Salary commensurate with experience. Midlevel experience (3-6 years) can expect salary ranges beginning at $130,000. Senior/Management Level (6+ years) are invited to apply, and salary will reflect experience.