Position Overview

We are seeking a highly detail-oriented Estate & Trust Administration Professional to support a growing legal team in handling complex estate, probate, tax, and trust matters. This role is ideal for a candidate with strong organizational, financial, and legal drafting skills who can manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy and confidentiality.

The ideal candidate has hands-on experience with estate administration, tax filings, and fiduciary accounting, and is comfortable working collaboratively with attorneys, CPAs, and clients.

Primary Responsibilities

• Manage calendars, including tax deadlines, filings, and client communications
• Prepare Federal and State Estate Tax Returns and Gift Tax Returns
• Handle estate administration, including preparing and filing probate documents
• Support trust administration, including withdrawal notices and trustee changes
• Prepare trust and estate accountings
• Draft simple wills, correspondence, and legal documents
• Apply for tax identification numbers (EINs) for estates and trusts
• Prepare and record deeds and related property transfer documents
• Form LLCs and other entities with Secretary of State offices
• Maintain corporate records, minutes, and minute books
• Calculate tax liabilities, exemptions, and fiduciary fees
• Conduct basic legal and tax research and summarize findings for attorneys

Required Skills & Abilities

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational ability
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• High level of discretion and confidentiality
• Client-service mindset with strong interpersonal skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• Experience with estate and tax software (EstateWorks, GEMS, Zane, or similar)
• Comfort working with financial data, spreadsheets, and reconciliations

Education & Requirements

• Bachelor's degree preferred
• OR Associate's degree / Paralegal certificate with 8+ years of relevant experience

Candidate Questionnaire (Skill Market Screening)

Estate & Probate Experience

• Have you personally prepared or filed probate petitions or handled court filings for estate openings or closings?
• Do you have working knowledge of Georgia probate procedures? Any other jurisdictions?
• What types of trust instruments have you worked with (revocable, irrevocable, charitable, insurance trusts, etc.)?

Tax & Fiduciary Experience

• Have you prepared or assisted with Form 706 (Estate Tax Returns) or Form 709 (Gift Tax Returns)?
• Have you worked on an estate where tax was actually owed?
• How independently can you prepare estate or gift tax returns?
• Have you prepared fiduciary income tax returns (Form 1041)?
• Do you have experience preparing trust or estate accountings?
• What is your comfort level reviewing K-1s, valuations, or appraisals?
• Have you collaborated with CPAs or tax attorneys? What was your role?
• What software/tools have you used for tax prep or fiduciary accounting?

Legal Drafting Experience

• Have you drafted or revised wills, powers of attorney, or codicils?
• Have you prepared deeds for property transfers involving trusts or estates?
• Have you filed EIN applications for trusts or estates?
• Have you formed LLCs or entities as part of estate planning structures?

Financial Operations Experience

• Describe your experience with charitable giving or planned giving programs
• How involved are you with banking activity, reconciliations, or investment tracking?
• Have you calculated executor or trustee fees?
• How do you ensure accuracy when managing high-value estates or trusts?

Technology & Systems

• What case management or database systems have you used?
• Are you familiar with EstateWorks, GEMS, Zane, or WealthCounsel?