Estate Planning Paralegal

Position Summary:

 

Responsible for daily activities of Estate Planning and attorney support, handling client meetings/telephone inquiries, preparing all documentation following CunninghamLegal’s written processes to support clients in executing trusts and estates, review and update master documents and Asana templates as needed, research legal issues. This position is in office 5 days a week Monday - Friday.

 

Client Related Responsibilities:

 

• Drafting and delivery of Welcome Letter
• Preparation of Estate Planning (EP) documents in WealthDocx, which includes preparation of the following documents:
  • Trust (Revocable, Irrevocable, SNT, gifting, etc.);
  • Certification of Trust;
  • Pour-Over Will;
  • Durable Power of Attorney;
  • CA Statutory Power of Attorney;
  • HIPAA Authorization
  • CA Statutory Advance Health Care Directive;
  • Assignments of Personal Property;
  • Funding Instructions,.
• Merging and Formatting of EP documents;
• Delivery of drafts to clients with signing letter;
• Management of Asana tasks;
• Follow up with clients to obtain missing information and schedule appointments;
• Preparation of EP invoice;
• Obtain title reports and vesting deeds;
• Completion of Funding for client matters:
  • Deeds with County forms;
  • Transfer letters;
  • Calculation of recording fees;
  • Affidavits of death with County forms;
  • Assignments of Business Interest;
  • Assignments of Deeds of Trust;
  • Beneficiary designations for IRA Trusts.
• Mailing and tracking of executed deeds to My Legal Depot and smartDEEDS!;
• Preparation of Business Formation answer file, which includes the following:
  • Operating Agreement;
  • Operations Manual;
  • Members Contribution Schedule;
  • Membership Interest Certificates;
  • Solvency Certificate;
  • Subscription Agreement;
  • Transfer Ledger;
  • Consent to Action in Place of Organizational;
  • List of Members and Membership Interests;
• Filing of Articles of Organization;
• Applying for EINs from IRS;
• Securing Registered Agents;
• Ordering of corporation binders;
• Filing of Statements of Information for CA LLCs;
• Communicate with clients telephonically, electronically and in-person;
• Posting all client costs in accounting;
• Meet with clients for clerical review of drafted documents;
• Preparation of original return of existing EP documents from firm acquisitions;
• Scheduling of signing appointment;
• Meet with clients for signing appointments which include:
  • Collection of remaining fees;
  • Acknowledgment of documents before a Notary Public (aka “Notarization”);
  • Scanning and saving of executed documents;
  • Preparation of flash drive for client;
• Communicate with outside professionals and agencies (i.e. deed preparation, recorder, assessor, etc.);
• Assemble Estate Planning Binder with all documentation related to EP;

 

Administrative Related Responsibilities:

• Continuing Legal Education, as required;
• Retain membership as a CA Notary Public (Attend required seminars and take required tests);
• Attend in applicable staff meetings (EP, Advanced Planning, all staff, etc.);
• Answer new phone calls and respond to client emails;
• File organization and maintenance;
• Scan various documents to client server file and make copies for files;
• Enter billable and nonbillable time in Lawcus;
• Update on Lawcus all client information, file notes as needed;
• Review and notate EP pre-bills;
• Prepare UPS shipments;
• Stock binders, tabs, and binder inserts as needed;
• Back-up phones as needed;
• All other projects as assigned.

Required Skills:

 

Must have at least 3 years of Estate Planning Paralegal experience. Interpersonal skills including telephone and meeting etiquette; oral and written communication skills; comprehension of legal terminology; ability to issue spot complex issues; legal document drafting skills; strong attention to detail and organization; efficient in time management and administering and executing tasks; strong proofreading and grammatical skills; and, computer literacy.

 

Education/Training:

 

• High School Graduate
• Paralegal Certificate

Physical and Environmental Conditions:

• Requires a majority of time (up to 75%) to be spent sitting.
• Some standing required and the ability to lift, carry and/or pull at least 15 pounds.
• Adverse movements required such as reaching overhead, bending, or crouching.
• Simultaneous/repetitive use of both hands is required for writing and typing.
• Excellent sensory skills are important (sight, hearing and speech).

 

Driving Requirement

• Possess a valid CA Driver’s License with valid car insurance and be able to drive to other work locations to work based on needs of the firm.

 

Salary

• $40 - $50/hour