Trust and Estates Paralegal

The Opportunity

You didn't become a paralegal to push paper. You became a paralegal because the work matters — because families depend on getting it right.

Golden Oaks Law Group is hiring a Trust & Estates Paralegal who will own their cases from start to finish. You won't just draft documents and hand them off — you'll manage the entire matter, serve as the primary point of contact for the client, and act as the critical liaison between the attorney and the families we serve. When a client calls with a question, you're the person who answers. When an attorney needs a case ready for hearing, you're the person who's already prepared everything.

If you're a detail-driven paralegal with trust and estate experience who wants to run your own caseload at a firm that values precision, accountability, and professional growth — keep reading.

About the Role

Reporting directly to the Managing Partner and working alongside the firm's attorneys, you'll own a full caseload across Golden Oaks' four practice areas: proactive estate planning, disability support, post-mortem trust and probate administration, and trust/estate litigation. You'll be expected to maintain 35 billable hours per week of substantive, high-quality work product with minimal revision.

Think of this role as part paralegal, part case manager. You are the person who ensures each matter moves forward from intake to resolution. You'll serve as the primary liaison between the attorney and the client — keeping clients informed, gathering what the attorney needs, driving deadlines, and making sure nothing falls through the cracks. Attorneys should be able to focus on legal strategy and client counsel because you've handled everything else.

This is a firm that invests in its people. You'll benefit from structured training, clear performance expectations, and a leadership team that is building a culture of professional development and internal promotion. If you do excellent work here, your career will grow here.

What Success Looks Like

We believe in measuring outcomes, not activity. Here's what success looks like:

First 30 Days: You've completed onboarding, demonstrated command of the firm's systems and T&E workflows, and received sign-off that you're ready to operate independently.

First 60 Days: You're hitting your weekly billable target consistently, your error rate is within acceptable thresholds, and you're managing your assigned matters without routine supervision.

Ongoing: You're maintaining 35 billable hours per week with a revision rate of 10% or less. Your tasks are completed on time at 90%+ rates. Zero missed deadlines. Client communication complaints average one or fewer per quarter. You're actively participating in training and applying what you learn.

If these targets feel like your natural operating standard, this role is for you.

Key Responsibilities

Substantive Legal Work

• Draft, review, and prepare estate planning documents including trusts, wills, powers of attorney, advance healthcare directives, and related instruments.
• Prepare and file probate petitions, accountings, inventories, and appraisals in compliance with California Probate Code.
• Assist with trust administration tasks including asset marshaling, trust funding, beneficiary notifications, and distribution preparation.
• Support litigation matters including discovery requests and responses, deposition preparation, trial binders, and court filings.
• Prepare conservatorship petitions and related filings for court-supervised matters.

Case Management & Client Liaison

• Own each assigned matter from intake to resolution, serving as the primary point of contact for the client throughout the life of the case.
• Act as the liaison between the attorney and the client — translating legal strategy into clear client communication, gathering information the attorney needs, and ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.
• Drive matters forward proactively: anticipate next steps, prepare documents before being asked, identify potential delays or issues, and keep the case moving on schedule.
• Coordinate with the attorney on case strategy, deadlines, and client concerns — ensuring the attorney is prepared for hearings, meetings, and filings without having to chase down information.
• Manage the client relationship day-to-day: answer questions, provide status updates, set realistic expectations on timelines and process, and ensure clients feel informed and cared for at every stage.
• Maintain accurate and organized case files — both digital and physical — so that any attorney or team member can step into a matter and immediately understand its status.
• Track and calendar all deadlines (statutory, court-imposed, filing, statute of limitations) across assigned matters, ensuring zero missed deadlines.
• Prepare clients for key milestones — hearings, signings, distributions, filings — by proactively communicating what to expect, what documents are needed, and what the timeline looks like.
• Escalate appropriately when issues require attorney judgment or legal advice, providing the attorney with a complete summary, relevant documents, and a recommended course of action.

Quality & Compliance

• Produce accurate, complete work product with an error rate of 5% or less on submissions to attorneys.
• Follow all established firm policies, procedures, and SOPs consistently.
• Maintain personal professional development through CLE, certifications, or industry education (10+ hours/year).

Who This Role Is For

This role is designed for a paralegal who takes ownership of their work and their cases. You are the right candidate if:

• You have 2–5 years of hands-on paralegal experience in trust and estate law, including some combination of estate planning, trust administration, probate, and/or litigation.
• You think of yourself as the owner of your cases, not just a task-doer. You drive matters forward, anticipate next steps, and take responsibility for keeping clients and attorneys aligned.
• You are detail-oriented to the point where colleagues notice. Accuracy isn't something you aspire to — it's how you work.
• You manage your own deadlines and workload without being micromanaged. When you commit to a deadline, you hit it.
• You are comfortable serving as the primary client contact — fielding questions, setting expectations, delivering updates, and handling difficult conversations with empathy and professionalism.
• You communicate proactively with both clients and attorneys. No one has to chase you for updates, and attorneys can trust that you've prepared everything they need before they ask.
• You are familiar with California-specific procedures, Judicial Council forms, and Probate Code requirements.
• You want to grow professionally and are open to structured feedback, performance metrics, and continuous learning.

Who This Role Is NOT For

We respect your time, so we'll be direct. This role is not the right fit if:

• You prefer to work behind the scenes with minimal client contact. This role requires you to be the client's primary point of contact and manage that relationship day-to-day.
• You are more comfortable waiting for assignments than driving a case forward on your own. This role requires proactive case management, not reactive task completion.
• You are uncomfortable with measurable performance standards and structured feedback.
• You are looking for a fully remote or hybrid position — this role is in-person at our Upland, CA office.
• You do not have direct experience in trust and estate law. While we value diverse legal backgrounds, this role requires T&E knowledge from day one.
• You are seeking a supervisory or management role. This is an individual contributor position focused on substantive legal work and personal production.

Compensation & Growth

• Base Salary: $60,000–$78,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Performance Bonuses: The firm offers discretionary performance bonuses and is building a structured, KPI-driven bonus framework.
• Benefits: Health insurance, life insurance, paid time off, paid sick leave, 12 paid holidays, continuing education and tuition assistance, and disability insurance.
• Growth Path: Golden Oaks promotes from within. High-performing paralegals have a clear path toward senior roles with expanded responsibility, authority, and compensation — including future leadership opportunities as the firm grows.

Why Golden Oaks

Golden Oaks Law Group has nearly three decades of history serving families across Southern California. The firm is growing, investing in modern systems, and building a team-based culture where professional development isn't a slogan — it's a practice.

• Founded on values, not volume. The firm's I-PEACE core values (Integrity, People First, Excellence in Action, Always Improving, Client Experience, Efficiency with Grace) guide every decision.
• Structured career path. The firm invests in developing its team members and creating advancement opportunities as the practice grows.
• Technology-forward operations. Modern systems, efficient processes, and a commitment to innovation.
• Direct client impact. You'll work directly with families navigating life's most important transitions. Your work matters.
• A team that values excellence and treats each other with respect.

We review every application personally. This is a selective process, and we respond to every qualified candidate.

Golden Oaks Law Group, LLP is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected class.