Trust and Estates Paralegal

Golden Oaks Law Group, LLP•Upland, CA

125d•$30 - $38•Onsite

About The Position

Golden Oaks Law Group is hiring an in-person Trust and Estates Paralegal for its Upland, California office. Reporting directly to the Managing Partner and working alongside the firm's attorneys, this individual contributor will manage a full caseload across estate planning, disability support, post-mortem trust and probate administration, and trust and estate litigation. The paralegal owns matters from intake through resolution, produces substantive legal work, and serves as the primary client contact and liaison between clients and attorneys. The role calls for 35 billable hours per week, accurate work with minimal revision, proactive deadline and case management, and attentive client communication. The firm provides structured training, performance expectations, and professional development, with opportunities for advancement from within. Compensation is $60,000–$78,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications, with discretionary performance bonuses.

Requirements

2–5 years of hands-on paralegal experience in trust and estate law, including some combination of estate planning, trust administration, probate, and/or litigation.
Direct trust and estate law experience and relevant knowledge from day one.
Familiarity with California-specific procedures, Judicial Council forms, and Probate Code requirements.
Ability to manage a caseload and deadlines independently without routine supervision or micromanagement.
Strong attention to detail and ability to produce accurate work product.
Ability to serve as the primary client contact, handle questions and difficult conversations with empathy and professionalism, and communicate proactively with clients and attorneys.
Proactive case-management skills, including anticipating next steps and driving matters forward.
Willingness to work in person at the Upland, California office; the position is not fully remote or hybrid.
Comfort with measurable performance standards, structured feedback, and continuous learning.
Interest in an individual contributor role focused on substantive legal work and personal production, rather than a supervisory or management role.

Nice To Haves

Continuing legal education, certifications, or other industry education; the role expects at least 10 hours of professional development annually.
Interest in professional growth and future advancement to senior roles or leadership opportunities.

Responsibilities

Draft, review, and prepare estate planning documents, including trusts, wills, powers of attorney, advance healthcare directives, and related instruments.
Prepare and file probate petitions, accountings, inventories, and appraisals in compliance with the California Probate Code.
Assist with trust administration, including asset marshaling, trust funding, beneficiary notifications, and distribution preparation.
Support litigation matters by preparing discovery requests and responses, deposition materials, trial binders, and court filings.
Prepare conservatorship petitions and related filings for court-supervised matters.
Own assigned matters from intake to resolution and serve as each client's primary point of contact.
Translate legal strategy into clear client communication, gather information for attorneys, provide status updates, answer questions, and set expectations.
Proactively anticipate next steps, prepare documents, identify potential issues or delays, and keep matters on schedule.
Coordinate with attorneys on case strategy, deadlines, client concerns, hearings, meetings, and filings.
Maintain organized and accurate digital and physical case files.
Track and calendar statutory, court-imposed, filing, and statute-of-limitations deadlines.
Prepare clients for hearings, signings, distributions, filings, and other milestones by explaining requirements and timelines.
Escalate matters requiring attorney judgment or legal advice, providing a summary, relevant documents, and a recommended course of action.
Produce accurate and complete work product, follow firm policies, procedures, and SOPs, and pursue continuing professional development through CLE, certifications, or industry education.
Maintain 35 billable hours per week, a revision rate of 10% or less, timely task completion at a 90% or higher rate, and zero missed deadlines.
Maintain a submission error rate of 5% or less and complete at least 10 hours of professional development annually.