Probate and Estates & Trusts Paralegal

$85,000 - $127,000/Yr

Donahue Fitzgerald Llp - Oakland, CA

Full-time - Mid Level

Oakland, CA

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

Donahue Fitzgerald LLP is seeking an experienced Paralegal for its Estates and Trusts practice group in Oakland, CA. This full-time position offers a competitive salary range of $85,000 to $127,000 per year, depending on qualifications and experience. The firm provides a comprehensive range of civil legal services to a diverse clientele, including individuals, sole proprietorships, closely held businesses, and multinational corporations. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in assisting attorneys with various tasks related to trust administrations, court-supervised administrations, and drafting estate plans. The ideal candidate will be responsible for managing probate proceedings from commencement through final distribution, demonstrating a high level of organization and attention to detail in a fast-paced environment. Key responsibilities include drafting estate planning and trust administration documents, preparing asset lists, analyzing financial records, and handling California probate court petitions. The paralegal will also meet and communicate with clients, assist with trust funding, maintain client files, and prepare federal estate tax returns. This position requires a Bachelor's degree and/or a paralegal certificate, along with a minimum of 5 years of experience in probate and trust administration. Candidates should possess advanced proficiency in Office 365, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, and must be able to work in the office for the first 90 days before transitioning to a hybrid schedule. A licensed notary is a plus, and candidates should be prepared to submit a resume along with a cover letter and salary requirements.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the drafting of estate planning and trust administration documents.
• Prepare asset lists and analyze bank and business records.
• Identify trust and non-trust assets and determine the title and character of assets.
• Handle California probate court petitions and proceedings, including Heggstad petitions.
• Meet and communicate with clients and client advisors.
• Assist clients with trust funding and prepare documents for recordation of deeds.
• Maintain client files and prepare materials for client meetings.
• Prepare and assemble federal estate tax returns.
• Calendar critical deadlines and meetings.
• Perform additional job duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree and/or paralegal certificate required.
• 5+ years of experience in probate and trust administration desired.
• Knowledge of the Probate Court process, including court filings.
• Familiarity with Probate Code notice requirements and ability to manage calendar notice deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Advanced proficiency with Office 365, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to handle multiple assignments efficiently and accurately.

Nice-to-haves

• Tax preparation software experience is preferred.
• Licensed notary is a plus.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• 401(k)
• Flexible spending account
• Paid time off
• Employee assistance program
• Vision insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Life insurance
• Referral program