Trusts & Estates Attorney
About The Position
Golden Oaks Law Group is a boutique trust and estate law firm serving families and individuals across the Inland Empire. This attorney will own a full caseload of estate planning matters from intake to execution — as the primary attorney of record, not a support role. That work spans drafting and executing planning documents, post-mortem trust and estate administration, and uncontested court matters including probates, conservatorships, and guardianships. You will build real relationships with clients, collaborate with our Managing Partner on complex matters, and work alongside our paralegal team. For the right person, this role leads to partnership. We're looking for someone to help build what comes next.
Requirements
- Active California bar license with 3–5 years of trust and estate experience.
- Takes ownership of their work without needing to be told what to do next.
- Deep care for clients — understands estate planning is about people, not paperwork.
- Communicates clearly and confidently with clients and colleagues.
- Comfortable directing support staff and setting clear expectations.
- Thrives in a small, high-performance environment.
- Looking for a long-term professional home with eventual leadership or ownership ambitions.
Nice To Haves
- Needs significant hand-holding to manage a caseload day-to-day.
- Not comfortable with in-person, full-time work — this is not hybrid or remote.
- Views this as a stepping stone to something else within 1–2 years.
- Has no background in trusts and estates — general practice experience alone is not sufficient.
- Prefers to work in isolation and isn't interested in contributing to a team's success.
Responsibilities
- Own the full lifecycle of estate planning matters: intake, strategy, drafting, execution, and follow-up.
- Prepare and review wills, revocable living trusts, powers of attorney, advance healthcare directives, and related instruments.
- Advise on estate tax planning, asset titling, beneficiary designations, and trust funding.
- Handle post-mortem matters including trust administration, probate proceedings, and estate settlements.
- Support disability planning engagements, including special needs trusts, conservatorships, and ABLE account planning.
- Review existing estate plans brought in by new clients, identifying gaps or planning opportunities.
- Coordinate with clients' CPAs and financial advisors to integrate estate plans with broader financial strategy.
- Manage matter deadlines, filing deadlines, and trustee reporting obligations.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for your matters — accessible, responsive, and proactive.
- Translate complex legal concepts into clear, practical guidance for clients.
- Conduct in-person client meetings for intake, plan review, and document signing.
- Proactively reach out to existing clients as life events occur to keep plans current.
- Handle sensitive family dynamics with discretion, particularly in blended family, incapacity, or post-death contexts.
- Respond to client inquiries within one business day.
- Co-counsel with the Managing Partner on high-complexity or high-value matters.
- Direct the paralegal team — assigning tasks, setting priorities, and reviewing work product for accuracy.
- Participate in regular matter status reviews to keep the caseload moving efficiently.
- Contribute to firm templates, checklists, and standard operating procedures.
- Stay current on changes to California probate, trust, and tax law.
Benefits
- Base salary: Commensurate with experience.
- Annual performance bonus tied to caseload outcomes and firm-wide results.
- Real partnership track eligibility for demonstrated performers.
- Paid CLE and bar dues covered.
- Benefits package including retirement and health coverage.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
