Sr. Estate and Trust Paralegal

TIAA•St. Louis, MO

4d•$31 - $43•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Paralegal conducts legal research (e.g., due diligence, case and factual research, responding to queries and investigations, preparing summary reports, etc.) to support the organization's law related initiatives and/or matters. Working independently under general supervision, this job reviews and edits legal documents (e.g., contracts, agreements, pleadings, business communications, etc.) to ensure accuracy and completeness. This job also maintains files, databases and systems to collect, store, and reviews data on litigation, agreements, opinions, and other legal documents. In collaboration with WPS attorneys, review and summarize estate planning documents including, Wills, Revocable Trusts, Irrevocable Trusts, Charitable Trusts and Deeds to assist in the preparation of client flowcharts. Prepare client estate and financial planning flowcharts depicting clients’ current and proposed estate plans to include assets, values, ownership, beneficiary designations, estate plan summary and tax exposure analysis. Illustrate the effectiveness of state and federal estate tax savings strategies and charitable planning. Research, prepare and calculate detailed state estate taxes, federal estate taxes and federal gifts taxes. Review Gift Tax Returns and Federal Estate Tax Returns to assess remaining federal estate tax exclusion amounts and available portability amounts. Advanced knowledge of the transfer tax system and core tax savings strategies such as annual gifting, GST Trusts, Charitable Trusts, GRATs, QPRTs and SLATs. Team with Wealth Planning Strategists, Wealth Management Advisors, Client Relationship Consultants and Trust Administrators to discuss and gather necessary information and data to complete client flowchart deliverables. Prepare detailed Family Trees for high-net worth clients. Conduct legal research and analysis for client communications and flowcharts, presentation materials, guides and whitepapers. Participate in Thought Leadership for Wealth Planning Strategies presentation materials, guides and whitepapers – collaboration, drafting, editing and research. Responsible for the maintenance of the Wealth Planning Strategies Knowledge Exchange site. Research and monitor various software vendors used by the Wealth Planning Strategies group: CCH and Leimberg NumberCruncher. Responsible for the design and maintenance of the Wealth Planning Strategies Attorney Referral Network SharePoint Site. Review and vet all attorneys added and monitor the annual quality assurance review of the database.

Requirements

2+ Years Required
University (Degree) Preferred
Advanced knowledge of the transfer tax system and core tax savings strategies such as annual gifting, GST Trusts, Charitable Trusts, GRATs, QPRTs and SLATs.
Adaptability
Communication
Consultative Communication
Continuous Improvement Mindset
Detail-Oriented
Ethical Conduct
Legal Administration

Nice To Haves

3+ Years Preferred

Responsibilities

Gathers and analyzes legal research such as statutes, regulations, decisions, case filings, articles, and other documents.
Keeps track of, prepares and files federal and/or state regulatory filings in a timely and accurate manner.
Reviews and edits legal documents (e.g., contracts, agreements, pleadings, business communications, etc.) to ensure accuracy and completeness.
Applies strong understanding of applicable practice areas, as well as federal and state regulatory issues/processes, to provide efficient and accurate paralegal services.
Develops, and may recommend, alternative approached to operational issues of low to moderate complexity in order to minimize business risks.
Processes, analyzes, and summarizes more complex legal proceedings for attorneys.
Reviews corporate documents for compliance with regulatory guidelines.
Monitors and analyzes legislative/regulatory developments that affect the company’s products and services.
Coordinates with business partners, outside counsel, and other vendors as needed to obtain and provide needed information, manage litigation, and handle other legal filings and projects.
Review and summarize estate planning documents including, Wills, Revocable Trusts, Irrevocable Trusts, Charitable Trusts and Deeds to assist in the preparation of client flowcharts.
Prepare client estate and financial planning flowcharts depicting clients’ current and proposed estate plans to include assets, values, ownership, beneficiary designations, estate plan summary and tax exposure analysis.
Illustrate the effectiveness of state and federal estate tax savings strategies and charitable planning.
Research, prepare and calculate detailed state estate taxes, federal estate taxes and federal gifts taxes.
Review Gift Tax Returns and Federal Estate Tax Returns to assess remaining federal estate tax exclusion amounts and available portability amounts.
Team with Wealth Planning Strategists, Wealth Management Advisors, Client Relationship Consultants and Trust Administrators to discuss and gather necessary information and data to complete client flowchart deliverables.
Prepare detailed Family Trees for high-net worth clients.
Conduct legal research and analysis for client communications and flowcharts, presentation materials, guides and whitepapers.
Participate in Thought Leadership for Wealth Planning Strategies presentation materials, guides and whitepapers – collaboration, drafting, editing and research.
Responsible for the maintenance of the Wealth Planning Strategies Knowledge Exchange site.
Research and monitor various software vendors used by the Wealth Planning Strategies group: CCH and Leimberg NumberCruncher.
Responsible for the design and maintenance of the Wealth Planning Strategies Attorney Referral Network SharePoint Site.
Review and vet all attorneys added and monitor the annual quality assurance review of the database.