Trust and Estate Paralegal

Are you a detail-oriented legal professional who thrives in the world of estate administration helping clients navigate complex legal processes during some of lifes most difficult moments

Do you have the experience and confidence to manage probate files from intake to closure including filing petitions tracking deadlines working with courts and CPAs and keeping everything organized and on schedule

Can you independently oversee a large caseload while guiding junior paralegals ensuring accuracy in filings and providing thoughtful communication to attorneys clients and external partners

Is your paralegal work driven by proactive leadership sharp administrative skills and a genuine desire to support families through estate transitions with professionalism and care

Final question: When faced with a challenge do you get excited or run away

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At DeAngelus Group PLLC we guide families businesses and individuals through lifes most pivotal moments whether planning for the future navigating probate closing on a home or building a business. With offices in Schenectady and a modern welcoming approach to client service our firm blends deep legal experience with personalized attention in the areas of estate planning administration real estate and business law. Our clients rely on us not just for technical accuracy but for clarity communication and true peace of mind during lifes biggest decisions.

Were hiring a seasoned Trust and Estate Paralegal to lead and strengthen our growing estate administration this high-impact role youll manage estate files from intake through closure tracking timelines coordinating with courts and CPAs and ensuring that every detail is handled with care. Youll also help train and mentor junior paralegals bringing leadership and structure to a busy and fast-moving department.

What youll do:

• Estate Administration and Probate Management: Oversee the full lifecycle of probate and trust cases including opening estate files coordinating with surrogates courts ensuring timely filings and proper case progression. Maintain accuracy discretion and professionalism throughout each stage of administration.
• Team Mentorship and Paralegal Oversight: Lead and support a team of junior paralegals by reviewing work product providing hands-on training and standardizing workflows. Establish quality control processes and build up the departments long-term capabilities through coaching and accountability.
• Legal Document Drafting and Court Coordination: Prepare a variety of estate-related documents including wills trusts petitions letters testamentary fiduciary accountings and notices. File pleadings in accordance with court procedural rules and deadlines across state and local jurisdictions.
• Deadline Tracking and Caseload Management: Actively monitor a large volume of open cases often 100 or more across different stages of estate planning and administration. Ensure time-sensitive actions are tracked completed and communicated to attorneys clients and stakeholders.
• Collaboration with CPAs and Tax Professionals: Serve as the firms point of contact with outside accountants gathering and organizing documentation for estate tax filings and fiduciary returns. Ensure clear information exchange and timely submissions.
• Process Optimization and Workflow Design: Develop document and improve internal processes related to estate administration and paralegal operations. Implement organizational systems for physical and digital files (including naming conventions and task handoffs) and leverage tools like Clio or other practice management software to enhance efficiency.

What were looking for:

• Experience and Legal Background: 35 years of paralegal experience with a strong focus on estate administration probate or trust cases. Brings familiarity with surrogates court procedures and estate timelines from intake through closure.
• Leadership and Mentorship: Proven ability to lead or train junior team members ensuring consistency accuracy and professional growth across a paralegal team. Comfortable stepping into a leadership role without hesitation.
• Client Communication and Sensitivity: Skilled in professional empathetic communication with families during challenging transitions. Maintains discretion clarity and responsiveness in all client-facing interactions.
• Organizational Excellence: Exceptionally detail-oriented with a demonstrated ability to manage a high-volume caseload across varied timelines and priorities. Brings structure and follow-through to every case.
• Technical Proficiency: Confident in using case management tools (Clio experience is a plus) Microsoft Office digital file systems and court e-filing portals. Open to learning new tools and systems quickly.
• Initiative and Accountability: Self-directed dependable and proactive with the ability to take full ownership of estate cases and contribute immediately with minimal supervision.
• Cultural Fit: Aligned with the firms values of integrity professionalism and client-centered service. Brings a thoughtful team-oriented mindset to estate work that requires both precision and compassion.

Why you should work here:

• Deep Impact: You play a vital role in guiding clients through important life transitions ensuring their loved ones are cared for and their legacies are managed with clarity and care.
• Leadership Opportunity: Step into a role with both managerial and technical responsibilities able to shape the trust & estate departments trajectory.
• Strong Firm Foundation: Join a firm with diversified practice areas and a reputation for high integrity and client trust.

Additional perks:

• Location: Onsite role based at the firms main office in Schenectady NY serving as the central hub for the trust and estate team.
• Compensation: $75000-$85000 commensurate with experience
• Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package that includes health dental and vision insurance; retirement plan options; paid holidays; and paid time off.

At DeAngelus Group PLLC the Trust and Estate Paralegal plays a vital role in guiding families through significant life transitions with professionalism empathy and a commitment to accuracy. This position is foundational to the firms ability to deliver thoughtful and dependable legal service in estate and trust cases. Working closely with our trust and estate attorney youll lead the administration of probate cases from intake through closure managing court filings coordinating with CPAs tracking deadlines and guiding beneficiaries through each step. Youll also take on a leadership role within the department mentoring junior paralegals and ensuring our systems and workflows run smoothly.

This is a high-responsibility position ideal for someone who excels in bringing structure and follow-through to complex legal processes. With more than 100 open cases in various stages your ability to organize anticipate needs and keep cases moving forward will be essential. If you are experienced in estate administration confident in working independently and motivated to contribute to a growing and trusted practice this role offers both meaningful work and professional growth.