Associate Estate Settlement Advisor

Blue Trust•Brentwood, TN

About The Position

The Associate Estate Settlement Advisor is responsible for settling a book of probate estates and deceased grantor trusts of varying complexity in a fast-paced, high-volume environment. Administration of these accounts includes coordination with external partners (Attorneys, CPAs), and internal support partners (compliance, investments, and operations) to ensure accurate, timely and efficient settlement, and risk management. This position is responsible for conducting necessary administration functions and regular personalized service to clients, beneficiaries, and financial representatives.

Requirements

Possess a working knowledge of principal and income accounting
Highly organized and goal-oriented self-starter who is able to work in an unstructured environment with minimal supervision
Effectively prioritizes workflow and multiple competing priorities
Ability to work with department management to ensure that estate settlement functions are performed efficiently and in compliance with applicable policies, regulations, and guidelines
Ability to be an effective team player across multiple affiliates/departments is essential
Ability to influence without authority.
Associate’s degree or Paralegal certificate required; Bachelor’s degree, Juris Doctor, or CPA designation preferred
5+ years of experience in probate and trust administration, or general law firm/accounting firm experience, preferred
Advanced courses in estate settlement (probate, trust administration) and professional designation(s) preferred (e.g., CTFA)

Nice To Haves

Certified Trust Fiduciary Advisor (CTFA) or Certified Financial Planner (CFP) preferred

Responsibilities

Read, analyze, and interpret legal documents, including the governing trust or Will instrument to identify beneficiaries and the distribution of assets
Identify and summarize provisions of Wills and/or trust agreements
Perform up-front investigation, gathering of support documentation and decision making/analysis to inform the estate settlement process
Direct Operations for account opening characteristics, appropriate asset valuation, booking and maintaining of inventories for fee calculations as well as Court and beneficiary accountings.
Marshal and protect trust and estate assets
Initiate and prepare accountings required for judicial and informal settlement proceedings
Schedule and help prepare for beneficiary and prospective client meetings
Identify and ensure the timely filing of outstanding tax returns for decedents and the respective estate and/or trust
Assist with preparation of Administrative, and Investment Reviews
Prepare status reports for beneficiaries
Prepare discretionary distribution forms and new estate packets for Trust and Estate Management Subcommittee (TEMS)
Timely and effectively communicate with interested parties, including beneficiaries, co-executors, counsel, counsel for beneficiaries, and financial advisors for beneficiaries
Serve as the primary point of contact and maintain high quality communication with beneficiaries
Foster relationships with Advisors
Attend client calls and meetings
Attend weekly administration committee meeting
Identify quarterly rocks and attend weekly Level 10 meetings
Limit corporate risk exposure by ensuring that account administration is carried out in compliance with defined policies, procedures and audit standards.
Identify and address estate and trust owned real property holdings, as well as coordinate with outside advisors including Real Estate Agents, property managers and legal counsel to review, execute, and implement process for securing appraisals where appropriate, retaining property managers for income-producing property, coordinating maintenance and upkeep of property, ensuring and collecting proper documentation for insurance coverage, payment of real estate taxes, etc., and maintaining ongoing communications to ensure all work is timely and in good order
Review, organize, and maintain real property and corresponding insurance records
Monitor and plan for annual asset reviews during the settlement phase
Monitor tasks of Specialists
Additional Approaches work, interactions, and relationships in a manner consistent with the company’s Core Values
Understands the financial planning philosophy and biblical basis upon which Blue Trust serves its client base and applies these principles in personal finances
Maintains the highest Compliance standards by adhering to the firm's Human Resources guidelines, Compliance policies and procedures, professional designation standards, and industry's regulatory standards to mitigate risk to the firm