Trusts & Estates Administrative Paralegal

Location:  Roseland, New Jersey
Employment Type: Full-Time
Industry: Legal Services

Position Overview

Our client, a well-established law firm in New Jersey, is seeking an experienced Trusts & Estates Administrative Paralegal to support its growing Estate Planning and Estate Administration practice. This role requires a knowledgeable professional who can independently manage estate administration matters from the date of death through final distributions while providing exceptional support to attorneys and clients throughout the probate and estate settlement process.

The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of estate administration, probate procedures, fiduciary income tax matters, and federal and state estate tax filings.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage estate administration matters from initial intake through final distribution of assets
• Prepare and file probate documents with the appropriate Surrogate's Court
• Assist with the collection, identification, and valuation of estate assets
• Coordinate date-of-death asset valuations and maintain supporting documentation
• Prepare and assist with Federal and State Estate Tax Returns
• Prepare and process Refunding Bonds and Release documents for estate distributions
• Draft correspondence and communicate with financial institutions, beneficiaries, executors, trustees, accountants, and other third parties
• Maintain estate administration calendars and monitor critical filing deadlines
• Assist attorneys with trust administration matters and fiduciary accountings
• Prepare and coordinate Federal Gift Tax Returns
• Organize and maintain estate and trust files while ensuring accuracy and confidentiality

Qualifications

• Paralegal certificate or equivalent legal experience preferred
• 3+ years of Trusts & Estates, Probate, or Estate Administration experience
• Demonstrated ability to independently handle estate administration from death through final distribution
• Experience preparing probate filings and supporting estate settlement matters
• Knowledge of Federal and State Estate Tax Returns and related filing requirements
• Familiarity with:
  • Portability Elections
  • QTIP Trusts
  • Bypass Trusts (Credit Shelter Trusts)
  • Generation-Skipping Transfer (GST) Tax concepts
  • Estate and Gift Tax reporting requirements
• Strong organizational, communication, and client service skills
• Ability to manage multiple matters simultaneously while meeting deadlines
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and legal document management systems

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a trusts and estates law practice
• Knowledge of fiduciary accounting principles
• Experience preparing estate, trust, and gift tax filings
• Familiarity with New Jersey probate procedures and Surrogate's Court requirements

What We're Looking For

The successful candidate will be a detail-oriented legal professional who thrives in a client-focused environment and can confidently manage complex estate administration matters while working closely with attorneys, executors, trustees, and beneficiaries.

Nesco Resource offers a comprehensive benefits package for our associates, which includes a MEC (Minimum Essential Coverage) plan that encompasses Medical, Vision, Dental, 401K, and EAP (Employee Assistance Program) services.

Nesco Resource provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.