Overview
Paralegal: Trust, Estates, and Probate Law Jobs in Staten Island, NY at Danna & Associates, PC
Trusts & Estates Paralegal – Estate Administration & Probate | NY
A well-established boutique elder law and estate planning firm located on Forest Avenue in Staten Island, New York. Our firm has served clients and families for more than 30 years, handling estate planning, trust, estate administration, and probate.
We are seeking a full-time Trusts & Estates Paralegal to assist with estate administration, probate, trust administration, and related matters.
We are looking for a motivated, organized, detail-oriented professional who is comfortable taking ownership of assigned matters and working directly with attorneys, clients, fiduciaries, beneficiaries, financial institutions, accountants, and court personnel.
Experience with New York estate administration and Surrogate’s Court proceedings is strongly preferred. A background in finance, accounting, banking, bookkeeping, financial services, or another asset-focused field is a significant plus due to the financial nature of estate and trust administration.
We are willing to train the right candidate on our firm’s procedures and how we handle estate and trust administration matters. However, candidates must already possess the computer and Microsoft Excel skills necessary to perform this position.
Microsoft Excel Proficiency Is Required.
This position requires advanced, hands-on proficiency with Microsoft Excel. Our firm operates within Microsoft Office and uses Excel and Outlook extensively as part of our daily workflow. We do not use Google Sheets for estate analysis or financial tracking.
The successful candidate must be able to work independently in Excel upon hire. While we provide training regarding our firm’s procedures, estate administration processes, and internal methods, this position does not provide training in Microsoft Excel.
Excel is used extensively to organize and analyze estate assets and financial information, maintain asset schedules, track transactions, income, expenses and distributions, reconcile financial records, and assist with the preparation of informal and formal fiduciary accountings.
Candidates should be comfortable receiving substantial financial information and independently organizing it into accurate, understandable, and usable Excel workbooks.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare probate and administration petitions, waivers and consents, citations, affidavits, and other Surrogate’s Court documents.
- Prepare and electronically file documents through NYSCEF and monitor filing requirements, court notices, and deadlines.
- Assist with and independently manage estate and trust administration matters under attorney supervision.
- Collect, identify, organize, and track estate and trust assets and liabilities.
- Maintain detailed and current asset schedules throughout the administration of a matter.
- Review and organize bank, brokerage, investment, and other financial statements and records.
- Track estate and trust income, expenses, transactions, distributions, and other financial activity.
- Reconcile financial records and identify missing information or discrepancies requiring follow-up.
- Prepare detailed estate analyses and assist attorneys in evaluating assets, liabilities, expenses, and distributions.
- Prepare and assist with informal and formal fiduciary accountings.
- Coordinate the collection, transfer, retitling, and distribution of estate and trust assets.
- Assist with the payment and tracking of debts, expenses, taxes, and beneficiary distributions.
- Communicate professionally with executors, administrators, trustees, beneficiaries, financial institutions, accountants, court personnel, and other professionals.
- Monitor outstanding items, deadlines, and follow-up requirements to ensure assigned matters continue progressing toward completion.
- Maintain organized electronic and physical files and provide attorneys with accurate and timely status updates regarding assigned matters.
Experience & Qualifications
- Prior hands-on experience with Trusts & Estates, estate administration, probate, trust administration, or a related legal practice area is strongly preferred.
- Experience with New York estate administration and Surrogate’s Court proceedings is strongly preferred.
- Working knowledge of probate and administration proceedings, Surrogate’s Court practice, and NYSCEF e-filing is preferred.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel proficiency is required upon hire. Candidates must be able to use Excel independently without software training.
- Strong financial aptitude and demonstrated ability to organize, review, reconcile, and analyze financial records and asset information.
- Prior experience or education in finance, accounting, banking, bookkeeping, financial services, or another asset-focused field is strongly preferred.
- Experience preparing informal and/or formal fiduciary accountings is strongly preferred.
- Experience with New Jersey and/or Florida estate and trust administration is a plus.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, including professional email correspondence, calendar management, and scheduling.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a professional and courteous demeanor.
- Strong organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail.
- Ability to prioritize responsibilities and independently manage multiple active matters and deadlines simultaneously.
- Ability to identify outstanding items and follow through without requiring continuous direction.
- Professional, self-directed, proactive, and comfortable taking ownership of assigned matters.
- Notary Public commission preferred.
Schedule & Work Location
- This is a full-time, fully in-person position at our Staten Island office.
- Remote and hybrid work arrangements are not available for this position or within our office.
- Regular office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Candidates must be available to work the established office schedule. Flexible or alternative work schedules are not available for this position.
- Applicants must reside on Staten Island and have reliable transportation.
- Reliable, consistent, and timely attendance is an essential requirement of this position.
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive compensation commensurate with experience.
- Retirement: 401(k) plan with pre-tax, Roth, and after-tax contribution options.
- Paid Time Off: Paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays.
- Medical Benefits: Medical benefits are available. Eligibility, coverage options, employer contributions, and other plan details will be discussed during the interview process.
- Supplemental disability insurance.
How to Apply
Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter through Indeed outlining your qualifications and relevant experience.
Applicants are encouraged to specifically identify their experience with:
- Trust and estate administration;
- New York Surrogate’s Court proceedings and NYSCEF;
- Fiduciary accountings;
- Microsoft Excel and financial analysis; and
- Any prior finance, accounting, banking, bookkeeping, or financial services experience.
Please Do Not Call the Office Regarding This Position
Because our telephone lines must remain available for clients, courts, financial institutions, and active matters, we ask that applicants not call the office regarding this posting or the status of an application.
All applications and employment-related communications should be submitted through Indeed. Candidates selected to move forward in the hiring process will be contacted directly.
Pay: From $52,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Health insurance
- Opportunities for advancement
- Paid sick time
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
Education:
- Associate (Required)
Experience:
- Paralegal: 2 years (Required)
License/Certification:
- Paralegal Certificate (Required)
Location:
- Staten Island, NY 10301 (Required)
Work Location: In person
Title: Paralegal: Trust, Estates, and Probate Law
Company: Danna & Associates, PC
Location: Staten Island, NY
Category:
