Senior Paralegal - Trusts & Estates

Exemption Status: Hourly Non-Exempt

Remote Options/Office

Hours:

On-Site/Hybrid

Classification: Legal Support Staff

Reports To: Practice Area Manager

The Senior Paralegal – Trusts & Estates provides substantive case support to attorneys through drafting, research, factual analysis, and workflow management. This role requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage complex tasks and deadlines across multiple matters. Additionally, the Senior Paralegal – Trusts & Estates must have strong organizational skills, knowledge of statutory requirements, and the ability to manage sensitive client matters, as well as being extremely detail-oriented, organized, critical about accuracy, spelling and grammar and possess the ability to prioritize and follow up.

This is a very fast-paced environment, and the Senior Paralegal – Trusts & Estates must be able to multitask and assist attorneys with a voluminous caseload. This role requires a self-starter who is willing and open to learning new skills as well as taking initiative and being proactive.

JKZ employees are expected to “Think Outside the Box,” applying creativity, sound judgment, and initiative to deliver thoughtful solutions and exceptional client service. Senior Paralegals are expected to model and uphold JKZ’s mission, vision, and values in all professional interactions and to consistently produce work that meets or exceeds the JKZ Standard.

N/A

• Draft estate planning documents (wills, trusts, powers of attorney, HIPAA forms).
• Draft trust administration documents (notices, inventories, accountings, receipts and releases).
• Draft probate pleadings and Judicial Council forms (Petition for Probate, Duties & Liabilities, Letters, notices).
• Prepare deeds, property transfer documents, and related asset-transfer forms.
• Prepare correspondence to beneficiaries, trustees, fiduciaries, and financial institutions.

• Manage probate timelines, notice periods, and statutory deadlines.
• Track trust administration milestones (initial notices, inventory deadlines, tax returns, distributions).
• Maintain estate planning project flows, ensuring documents proceed through drafting, review, and signing stages.
• Coordinate execution and notarization of estate planning documents.
• Assist attorneys with maintaining and updating matter checklists and workflows.

• Serve as a primary point of contact for procedural questions.
• Collect client information, financial statements, asset lists, tax documents, and supporting records.
• Prepare summaries, asset spreadsheets, and intake materials.
• Support clients through probate and trust administration processes by explaining requirements and next steps (non-legal, procedural information only).

• Conduct factual research related to assets, property, financial institutions, and beneficiary information.
• Verify title, ownership, and valuation details for trust and probate assets.
• Summarize bank records or financial documentation for accountings.
• Review statutes, local rules, and probate notes to identify deficiencies.
• Ability to perform legal research and prepare memorandums on findings.

• Maintain organized estate planning, trust administration, and probate files.
• Audit matters for compliance and provide guidance to appropriate personnel on corrections.
• Manage originals such as wills and notarized documents.
• Review prepared binders for executed estate plans.

• Prepare probate filing packets and coordinate e-filing.
• Review and respond to probate examiner notes (under attorney supervision).
• File documents with financial institutions, county recorders, and title companies.
• Track court orders, letters, continuances, and follow-up filings.

• Provide mentorship, training, and ongoing feedback to legal staff members to support skill development and professional growth.
• Maintain MCLE requirements and reporting.
• Maintain local bar association…