Paralegal (Trusts & Estate Planning)

Goodwin•Boston, MA

4d•$90,000 - $100,000

About The Position

Join Goodwin’s Global Operations Team, where business professionals collaborate with colleagues from varied backgrounds and work with attorneys and clients in a dynamic global environment. Goodwin Paralegals work side-by-side with attorneys to provide high-quality, cost-effective legal services and contribute experience and practical advice to client matters. As a Trusts & Estate Planning Paralegal, you will develop relationships with attorneys and clients while building substantive and institutional knowledge that supports the practice. The role handles estate administration, Probate Court proceedings, trust administration, and related tax work. Assignments may involve complex matters or fact patterns under attorney supervision. You are expected to carry knowledge forward to similar projects, independently handle unexpected issues, and stay informed about changes in the law relevant to the practice area. The position is eligible for overtime. The target salary range varies by location and is commensurate with relevant experience: $90,000–$100,000.

Requirements

Strong organizational and communication skills.
High level of attention to detail.
Ability to handle multiple responsibilities.
Ability to work well in a team-oriented environment.
Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel.
Notary appointment or willingness to obtain an appointment.

Nice To Haves

BA/BS degree preferred.
Three or more years of experience preferred.
Paralegal experience or qualifying work experience in a law firm or bank/trust company preferred.
Familiarity with SEI/SWP is a plus.
Preferred ability to independently understand basic ideas and/or legal concepts relevant to assigned matters and seek information on those matters.

Responsibilities

Conduct estate administration and Probate Court activities, including preparing trust and estate accountings, maintaining estate financial records, calculating heirs’ distributive shares, and maintaining and updating form files.
Act as liaison with Probate Court; prepare filing documents, manage formal and informal probate processes, obtain certified copies of death, will, and marriage certificates, arrange appraisals and bonds, and make preliminary tax estimates.
Perform other duties related to estate administration.
Assist with fiduciary income and charitable tax returns, coordinate estimated and tax payments, prepare initial drafts of gift and estate tax returns, and assist with estate tax return audits.
Coordinate trust account activity through online bank and investment systems, including funding, distributions, and expense payments, working with trustees and firm accounting personnel.
Prepare and review trust accountings and financial summaries.
Assist trustees with other aspects of trust administration.
Apply knowledge gained from prior tasks and projects to similar work, and at times to different types of tasks, to create efficiencies.
Handle assignments involving complex matters or fact patterns under attorney supervision.
Stay informed about changes in the law pertaining to the practice area.
Independently handle unexpected issues that arise during the course of a project.