Paralegal/Legal Assistant - Tax & Estate Planning

Our client, a growing Houston area law firm, is ready to hire an experienced Paralegal.  This is a direct hire/permanent opportunity and is in the office Monday through Friday.

 

Essential Functions

• Attendance and note-taking at initial client meetings and/or phone conferences upon request by attorney.
• Prepare initial drafts of wills, trusts and durable powers of attorney for attorney review.
• Assist in updates to beneficiary designations to coordinate with new estate planning documents.
• Maintain list of gift tax returns required on an ongoing basis and prepare U.S. Gift Tax Return (Form 709).
• Monitor deadlines in connection with numerous estates.
• Prepare documents needed to commence the probate / administration process.
• Coordinate logistics and assist attorneys during client meetings and document executions.
• Arrange for appraisals of real estate and tangible personal property.
• Assemble and evaluate debts of decedent, expenses of administration as possible deductions.
• Prepare documents, including Form 706, Federal Form 8971 and State Estate & Inheritance Tax Returns.
• Coordinate response to requests for additional information from tax authorities.
• Prepare draft of waivers of accounting, approval of administration for beneficiaries.
• Prepare formal, scheduled accounting for submission to Court, Attorney General.
• Assist in the funding of marital and non-marital trusts and the transfer of assets to beneficiaries.

Qualifications

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Exceptional organizational skills, works according to priorities and ahead of deadlines.
• Detail oriented with strong work ethic and ability to multi-task.
• Strong work ethic and self-motivated; takes pride and ownership in work product.

Education and Experience

• College degree required.
• Paralegal Certificate equivalent combination of skills and experience preferred.
• 1 or more years of experience working as a Paralegal preferred.