Probate Law Paralegal Duties
Probate paralegal duties pertain to overall estate planning and execution, including wills, inhertitances, trusts, taxes, and related legal work.
Law firms that specialize in probate often prefer paralegals with some probate experience. Although a background in accounting procedures and/or tax preparation is also valued experience for probate work. As probate requirements differ from county to county, knowledge of local court probate laws are also helpful.
State laws regarding trusts, real estate and probate taxes, and other types of estate planning guidelines change frequently. Ongoing education classes and subscribing to professional journals or newsletters will help you keep informed on the latest changes to estate planning laws.
In probate law you will need to have exceptional writing abilities and be comfortable working with people from all backgrounds, sometimes people who have just lost a loved one. Many small details of the estate must be taken care of after an individual passes away, and a probate paralegal can help keep track of each task, all the paperwork, and applications that must be completed.
Although probate paralegal duties may appear straight forward, all of the work drafted and prepared by a paralegal must be carefully reviewed by a licensed probate attorney.
Below are some examples of probate paralegal duties and tasks:
- Develop and maintain calendar system
- Draft and/or update wills and trusts
- Draft petition for probate
- Prepare settlements and obtain continuances, if needed
- Assist in completing life insurance claims, and other benefit claim forms
- Draft letters regarding wills and trusts to beneficiaries
- Verify assets at the time of death, including bank balances and safe deposit box contents
- Draft power of attorney for health and asset management purposes
- Prepare preliminary cash and tax estimates
- Follow up with government benefits such as Social Security and Veteran Benefits
- Draft court documents for guardianship/conservatorship
- Obtain appraisals for real and personal property
- Prepare preliminary estate federal and state tax returns
- Identify IRS deductions, including funeral expenses, charitable deductions, etc...
- Assist in audit of tax returns
- Order statements from life insurance companies
- Draft spousal property petitions
- Analyze investments for estate planning
- Work with banks, brokerage firms, credit unions, and other financial institutions to transfer assets pursuant of wills