Paralegal Trust and Estate

Paralegal Trust and Estate

SKILL SET

• Must possess minimum of five (5) years as a probate (trusts, estates, conservatorship, guardianships).
• Familiarity with California Probate Code and Rules of Court. Experience as a probate litigation paralegal is a plus.
• Ability to take notes and draft correspondence, to multi­ task and prioritize, to think ahead (anticipate any issues that may arise), good communications skills and attention to details.

DUTIES

1. Review and understand estate planning documents.
2. Prepare court documents for attorney to review.
3. This includes Petition for Probate and attachments, prepare Service Lists to ensure all persons entitled to notice are placed on Service List, arrange publication, prepare conservatorship documents, prepare Petitions for Sale of Real Property; prepare guardian ship forms, work with clients to obtain all necessary documents and information to complete forms, deal with Medi-Cal issues pertaining to Estates and Conservatorships. Work with clients, banks, financial institution s, hospitals, doctors, realtors, and bonding company.
4. Request all bank statements showing current value, date of death value (in probate & conservatorship as needed), arrange with clients to get copies of monthly statements on ongoing basis throughout administration.
5. Follow through to make   sure required documents are sent to newspaper for publication when required and review w for accuracy.
6. Prepare notice to Franchise Tax Board & Medi-Cal Recovery; check for uncollected assets (State Controller's Office).
7. Draft and finalize Estate planning documents.
8. Draft and finalize Orders.
9. Prepare Inventory and Appraisals for attorney review; obtain/request current vesting deeds for alI real property.
10. Prepare Petitions for Accountings and accountings for guardianships, conservatorships, estates and Trusts. Oversee data entry by secretaries.
11. Check for Probate Notes in advance of hearings; prepare Declarations and or Supplements to clear probate notes for attorney input and signature.
12. Work with secretaries regarding Service Lists and who should be sent notice and instruct when to use special language for certain notices.
13. Draft and finalize Attorney Declarations for Fees.
14. Draft and finalize letters to clients, professional fiduciaries, beneficiaries, bond company, creditors, realtors, escrow companies.
15. Review listing agreements for sale of real property and offers and discuss with attorney; point out any missing or incorrect information.
16. Prepare Publication notice for sale of real properties and review for accuracy.
17. Work with or supervise secretaries regarding cases the paralegal is working on.
18. Draft pleadings as requested by attorneys.
19. Prepare or supervise preparation of property transfer document and associated forms.
20. Instruct legal secretary/legal assistant regarding personal service.
21. Keep current with changing requirements of the Court and new laws.