Estate Administration Paralegal

We are seeking a detail-oriented, and experienced Estate Administration Paralegal to support our estate and trust administration practice. You will work closely with attorneys across all phases of probate, trust settlement, and estate administration, often serving as a primary point of contact for clients, beneficiaries, and courts during sensitive times.

Key Responsibilities

• Probate Management: Track probate matters from filing through closing, including court deadlines, claims periods, and required filings; maintain case calendars and flag upcoming deadlines to attorneys.
• Document Drafting: Draft pleadings, motions, affidavits, and waivers; file court documents per judicial procedures.
• Asset Administration: Prepare asset transfer and distribution documentation, including beneficiary designation claim forms and stock transfer forms (e.g., Computershare and other transfer agents).
• Account Tracking: Prepare estate and trust accounting documents, including inventories, correspondence requesting account statements, periodic and annual accountings, plans of distribution, and beneficiary receipts.
• Client Relations: Provide empathetic, professional updates to clients and third parties.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Job Qualifications

1. Minimum 2 years of estate or trust administration experience; real estate experience a plus.
2. Associate degree, bachelor's degree, or paralegal certificate preferred if fewer than 5 years' experience.
3. Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
4. Exceptional organization and attention to detail; sound judgment and discretion with confidential matters; strong time management and ability to meet deadlines.

We are a majority women-owned, boutique law firm in Northfield, Illinois, concentrating on estate planning, guardianships, and estate and trust administration. Our attorneys provide sophisticated counsel in estate, gift, and income tax planning and estate and trust litigation, with close attention to family dynamics and a compassionate approach to every client relationship.