Paralegal - Estates and Trusts

The trusts and estates administrative paralegal is responsible for managing and timely producing a high volume of complex, detailed work involving estate administration, trust administration and fiduciary accounting in a manner that ensures that Hinman, Howard & Kattell successfully meets its objective of distinguishing itself through exceptional service. The paralegal must be able to work independently, handling the administration of an estate from beginning to end collaborating with attorneys as needed. Because much of the work is in the areas of accounting and taxes, the paralegal must have good mathematical skills, good organizational skills, and strong technological skills.

Hinman, Howard & Kattell’s lawyers and staff work collaboratively in a team environment across all offices sharing significant client contact; accordingly, the paralegal must be willing to mentor and be mentored. In addition, the paralegal must be able to interact with, and show compassion to, individuals who may have suffered the loss of a loved one or are under a great deal of stress. In general, the position requires excellent organizational, client service, communication and technological skills; effective judgment managing information; the ability to manage and meet deadlines in a fast-paced work environment; flexibility to work overtime, as deadlines require; the ability to multitask while adapting to changes in priorities; and the ability to adapt to changes in technology and process.

This is a full time position with benefits. 

Duties & Responsibilities

• Identifying, gathering, and valuing assets; and preparing various probate and accounting documents;
• Conduct research to identify and locate family members and beneficiaries;
• Filing probate documents with courts throughout the State of New York and managing dockets;
• Familiarity with estate administration procedures in other venues, particularly Pennsylvania and Florida;
• Prepare federal and state personal income, fiduciary income and estate tax returns;
• Reviewing and interpreting wills and trust agreements, in collaboration with attorneys, so as to implement the plan during the estate and trust administration process and to fund trusts;
• Although attorneys generally research issues of law, the paralegal must be able to use reference materials and perform research using a variety of resources.

Skills & Competencies

• The successful candidate will be a team player with a positive attitude and able to maintain a consistently high standard of service.
• Must be a self-starter who can work well under minimal supervision as well as take a proactive approach to his or her work and be team oriented.
• The ideal candidate will have exemplary organizational skills, attention to detail, strong client service skills, excellent verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to work well under pressure, multi-task and set priorities while meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree preferred.
• Paralegal certification preferred.
• Minimum of three (3) to five (5) years of experience in a medium to large size law firm.
• Must be able to handle all aspects of estate and trust administration.
• Notary public preferred.
• Proficiency with Windows-based software and Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook are required.
• Experience with ProSystemFX and ProLaw software preferred.