Paralegal

*URGENTLY HIRING*

A vibrant mid-size West County law firm is seeking a Paralegal to support its trusts and estates and tax caseloads. This role requires expertise in the full-cycle of estate and trust administration and managing case files from inception through closing. Matters involve estate planning and drafting, decedent’s estates, guardianships and conservatorships, fiduciary litigation and post-mortem administration of trusts. A background in federal and state taxes, cases and controversies would be a plus. The successful candidate will provide practical administrative support to attorneys and clients with exceptional customer service and compliance with all federal, state, and local laws.

Responsibilities

• Maintaining probate, trust and tax law case files from inception to closing the matter.
• Drafting and updating checklists for efficient estate planning and probate administration.
• Tracking deadlines and sending periodic reminders, coordinating matters with clients, beneficiaries, creditors and other interested parties.
• Gathering documents and information for client meetings and court hearings.
• Effectively communicating and meeting with attorneys and clients to understand their needs and coordinating scheduling.
• Answering client questions, explaining legal procedures, and providing updates on case progress.
• Assisting with the identification and valuation of estate and trust assets, and coordination with accountants and financial advisors for preparation of estate tax and other tax returns.
• Assisting clients with the transfer of assets into trusts including but not limited to real estate and closely held business equity interests, payable on death beneficiary designations or otherwise as appropriate.
• Initial drafting of form wills, trusts, powers of attorney, beneficiary deeds, other estate planning documents, and tax related documents such as IRS powers of attorney.
• Initial drafting of probate administration forms such as applications, petitions, small estate affidavits, confidential file information sheets, inventories, settlements and the like.
• Trust administration including publication of creditor notice, trustee notices and reports (accountings), distributions and receipts, and communication with beneficiaries, investment advisors and accountants with respect to management of distributions, taxes and the like.
• Assisting with the disposition of tangible personal property assets such as estate sales and charitable donations.
• Litigation support for fiduciary litigation and tax controversies including but not limited to drafting initial petitions, motions and the like.
• Proficient knowledge using research tools such as Wolters Kluwer (VitalLaw), Lexis-Nexis, and Westlaw to support planning and case preparation.
• Keeping attorneys informed of client satisfaction.
• Tracking and entering billable time for each matter.

Requirements:

• Associate’s degree or higher in either Paralegal Studies, Estate Planning, Probate Law, or an equivalent certificate program approved by the American Bar Association.
• At least 3 years of experience in the legal field under the guidance of an attorney in a law firm setting, including experience in probate matters.
• At least 3 years of experience in Estate and Probate Law
• At least 3 years of experience in Corporate & Transactional Law

Skills:

• Proficient knowledge using Microsoft 365 software, Walters Kluwer, Lexis Nexis, Westlaw, Time Matters, Caselode, and most Missouri court probate court divisions
• Proficient knowledge in Estate Planning Law, Probate Law, Tax Law, Transactional law, and Commercial law
• Writing, Analysis, Legal drafting, Attention to Detail, Organizational skills, Oral Communication, Legal research, and Customer Service

Compensation: Hourly

Website: https://mlklaw.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mccarthy-leonard-and-kaemmerer-l-c

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• 401(k)
• Flexible spending account
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Time Off

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $62,500.00 per year

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Associate (Required)

Experience:

• Estate and Probate Law: 3 years (Required)
• Corporate & Transactional Law: 3 years (Required)
• Guidance from an attorney in a law firm with probate matters: 3 years (Required)

License/Certification:

• paralegal degree approved by the American Bar Association (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Chesterfield, MO 63017 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $62,500