Estate Settlement Administrator

Fifth Third Bank • Farmington Hills, MI

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Estate Settlement Administrator supports Estate Officers in servicing estate settlement trust accounts, with a focus on exceptional client service, operational accuracy, and regulatory compliance. The role works closely with Estate Officers, internal departments, and external professionals throughout the estate settlement process, including client communications, asset collection, tax coordination, legal documentation, and financial tracking. The administrator serves as the primary interface with trust accounting systems, the Workflow System, and trust operations functions, and implements internal policies and procedures.

Requirements

• Minimum 2 years of professional experience.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain structure in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in documentation, system entry, and financial tracking.
• Foundational understanding of, or willingness to learn, estate planning, fiduciary responsibilities, and tax matters related to estate and trust services.
• Basic understanding of, or interest in, financial markets, investment theory, and asset management principles.
• Proactive client-service orientation and ability to support clients and beneficiaries with empathy, responsiveness, and professionalism.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate with Estate Officers and cross-functional partners.
• Adaptability to changing priorities and client needs while maintaining service and compliance standards.
• Technical proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint, and CoPilot, and internal systems such as CRM, ACE, Workflow Portal, and AM Administrator.
• Awareness of risk and compliance, with commitment to documentation and adherence to policies and procedures.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree is strongly preferred.
• Estate, trust, or financial services experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support Estate Officers in estate administration, including communications with beneficiaries, outside advisors, and internal partners.
• Coordinate client communications, including family letters, bequest notifications, and distribution updates.
• Partner with Estate Officers and internal teams to resolve client issues and support transitions across service models.
• Maintain frequent email and phone contact with clients and third-party advisors.
• Collect and process estate assets; file probate documents; and manage distributions, financial accounts, insurance policies, and unclaimed property.
• Follow internal policies and procedures for account openings, bill payments, discretionary actions, and account closings.
• Prepare and execute distribution forms, funding requests, and liquidation instructions.
• Maintain trust accounting system integrity, including fee setup, statement generation, and related-party configuration.
• Track and reconcile fees, manage CRM and portal updates, and collaborate on distribution schedules and documentation.
• Review daily account activity for accuracy and quality.
• Coordinate with operations teams and manage logistics for estate meetings and materials.
• Complete other duties as assigned.
• Maintain urgency in client service and task completion while complying with estate policies and procedures.
• Stay informed about industry trends and fiduciary matters, including estate planning, probate, tax planning, and specialized trusts.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits programs supporting physical, financial, emotional, and social well-being.
• Eligibility to participate in an incentive compensation plan, with payments based on company, line-of-business, and/or individual performance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level