Trusts & Estates Paralegal

The Village Law Firm is seeking a Trusts and Estates Paralegal to join our team. This position will play a key role in delivering top-tier legal services, ensuring clients’ legacies are protected and effectively managed.  

If you thrive on helping people and delivering a high-caliber work product in a supportive, balanced environment, this is the perfect role for you!  

About Us: 

We are a boutique estate planning law firm offering premium legal and wealth planning services to New York City's artists, entrepreneurs, tech professionals, and other varied and interesting characters who make up this great City. Our mission is to provide a unique, client-focused experience while fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment.  

Our team is friendly, collaborative, and committed to excellence. We recognize and celebrate everyone’s contributions, driving our firm's success and ensuring client satisfaction.  

Responsibilities: 

• Manage all aspects of estate administration: draft court documents, coordinate asset valuations, prepare informal estate and trust accountings, and ensure timely information collection by setting and managing client-specific deadlines.  

• Act as the main point of contact for clients, ensuring timely and effective communication.  

• Maintain departmental calendars for all estate administration filing deadlines and estate planning matters. 

• Assist in the preparation of Federal and State estate tax returns, gift tax returns, NYS Release of Lien requests, and other administrative filings. 

• Assist with the preparation of Wills, Trusts, and other estate planning documents. 

• Assist with funding trusts through retitling bank accounts and updating beneficiaries. 

• Identify and address gaps in client estate plans, such as missing healthcare proxies or unfunded trusts. 

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience. 

• 5+ years as a trusts and estates paralegal or equivalent experience in an accounting role. 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 

• Experience with large estates and the preparation of Federal and State estate tax returns. 

• Extensive experience with probate and trust administration issues, including Surrogate’s Court filings, Date of Death valuations, preparing Receipt and Release agreements, and obtaining tax ID numbers for estates and/or trusts. 

Skills:

• Warm, friendly personality with a professional demeanor and presentation. 

• Ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. 

• Effective communication and business acumen to interact confidently with clients, accountants, lawyers, and financial advisors. 

• Technologically savvy and quick to learn new software. 

• Excellent English and impeccable grammar 

• Ability to prioritize and handle competing priorities.  

• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills. 

• Flexibility to work independently and in a team. Strong time-management skills, and ability to handle a high-volume caseload. Dependable, highly motivated, and detail-oriented. 

Benefits

• Competitive salary ($75k-100k) based on qualifications and in-person availability 

• Paid sick and vacation days 

• Generous medical and dental insurance 

• Option to work remotely on Fridays