Paralegal / Trust Administrator
Cleveland, OH
Full Time
Mid Level
We are currently seeking a Paralegal / Trust Administrator on behalf of our client. This role offers an exciting opportunity to support trust administration and legal operations within a dynamic team.
The Day to Day:
- Coordinate with the attorney on preparation of trust summary for file.
- Confirm copy of trust instrument is in physical and digital file and coordinate with
attorney’s assistant as needed to ensure documents are in file as required.
- Prepare correspondence and communicate directly with the client, trust beneficiaries, financial institutions, and other parties regarding trust matters as authorized by attorney.
- Request all documentation needed from client and financial institutions regarding asset
information and potential liabilities.
- Note location of Tangible Personal Property stored in house in Centerbase and assist with ensuring Tangible Personal Property is (1) stored appropriately, and (2) distributed in accordance with estate plan and consistent with firm policy.
- Complete Form 56, any necessary requests for income, gift tax, or business returns or transcripts as instructed by attorney, prepare Form SS-4 and tax authorizations to obtain tax ID, prepare Form 2848, and any other requests for tax information.
- Prepare required trust notices to beneficiaries.
- Prepare Trustee acceptance and resignation documents.
- Prepare Certifications of Trust.
- Prepare asset and liabilities spreadsheet for tracking of the same.
- Start trust accounting in GEMS or FAS.
- Run EVP reports and other date of death valuations as needed for non-probate assets. Communicate appropriate basis information to appropriate parties in accordance with attorney instruction and ensure appropriate step-up in cost basis occurs.
- Assist in locating and making contact with qualified appraisers for valuations.
- Confirm insurance coverage for trust assets.
- Prepare documents for transfers of real property to and from trust as instructed by attorney.
- Calendar all deadlines and reminders in conjunction with Group Probate Paralegal and Income Tax Preparer, if applicable. Also make sure income tax deadlines are on the Master Tax List.
- Provide updates to Group members throughout the trust’s administration to allow necessary information sharing among assigned Group.
- Meet periodically with attorney(s), Probate Paralegal, and Income Tax Preparer to ensure tasks are being completed in a timely manner and to assist as needed to ensure deadlines are met.
- Collect and maintain all information for preparation of trust accountings, annual Trustee’s report, and income tax returns.
- Request all backup documentation relating to trust property for estate tax return or gift tax returns, if applicable, and provide to internal and external preparer in a timely manner.
- Work with financial institutions, government agencies, and insurance companies to collect necessary asset information and resolve any related issues.
- Assist client in contacting financial institutions or other entities for necessary change of ownership forms and documentation to ensure transfer of assets to beneficiaries.
- In conjunction with the Probate Paralegal, Income Tax Preparer, and Tax Assistant, prepare trust accountings and Forms 1041.
- Prepare distribution schedule for divisions of trust assets and assist fiduciary in distributing assets as needed. Preparation of RRI and settlement agreements should be prepared by an attorney.
- Maintain accounting records
- Assist Trustee with preparation of the following:
Benefits:
All benefits offered including:
The Day to Day:
- Coordinate with the attorney on preparation of trust summary for file.
- Confirm copy of trust instrument is in physical and digital file and coordinate with
attorney’s assistant as needed to ensure documents are in file as required.
- Prepare correspondence and communicate directly with the client, trust beneficiaries, financial institutions, and other parties regarding trust matters as authorized by attorney.
- Request all documentation needed from client and financial institutions regarding asset
information and potential liabilities.
- Note location of Tangible Personal Property stored in house in Centerbase and assist with ensuring Tangible Personal Property is (1) stored appropriately, and (2) distributed in accordance with estate plan and consistent with firm policy.
- Complete Form 56, any necessary requests for income, gift tax, or business returns or transcripts as instructed by attorney, prepare Form SS-4 and tax authorizations to obtain tax ID, prepare Form 2848, and any other requests for tax information.
- Prepare required trust notices to beneficiaries.
- Prepare Trustee acceptance and resignation documents.
- Prepare Certifications of Trust.
- Prepare asset and liabilities spreadsheet for tracking of the same.
- Start trust accounting in GEMS or FAS.
- Run EVP reports and other date of death valuations as needed for non-probate assets. Communicate appropriate basis information to appropriate parties in accordance with attorney instruction and ensure appropriate step-up in cost basis occurs.
- Assist in locating and making contact with qualified appraisers for valuations.
- Confirm insurance coverage for trust assets.
- Prepare documents for transfers of real property to and from trust as instructed by attorney.
- Calendar all deadlines and reminders in conjunction with Group Probate Paralegal and Income Tax Preparer, if applicable. Also make sure income tax deadlines are on the Master Tax List.
- Provide updates to Group members throughout the trust’s administration to allow necessary information sharing among assigned Group.
- Meet periodically with attorney(s), Probate Paralegal, and Income Tax Preparer to ensure tasks are being completed in a timely manner and to assist as needed to ensure deadlines are met.
- Collect and maintain all information for preparation of trust accountings, annual Trustee’s report, and income tax returns.
- Request all backup documentation relating to trust property for estate tax return or gift tax returns, if applicable, and provide to internal and external preparer in a timely manner.
- Work with financial institutions, government agencies, and insurance companies to collect necessary asset information and resolve any related issues.
- Assist client in contacting financial institutions or other entities for necessary change of ownership forms and documentation to ensure transfer of assets to beneficiaries.
- In conjunction with the Probate Paralegal, Income Tax Preparer, and Tax Assistant, prepare trust accountings and Forms 1041.
- Prepare distribution schedule for divisions of trust assets and assist fiduciary in distributing assets as needed. Preparation of RRI and settlement agreements should be prepared by an attorney.
- Maintain accounting records
- Assist Trustee with preparation of the following:
- Distributions to beneficiaries and on their behalf (bill payment, payment of real property taxes, etc.)
- Estimated income tax payments (in coordination with Income Tax Preparer and attorney)
- Payment of Trustee fees
- Investment review meetings
- Meetings with beneficiaries
Benefits:
All benefits offered including:
- Health, HSA, vision, dental benefits offered, 401K, profit sharing, STD, LTD, AD & D and life insurance, cell phone allowance, EAP programs.
- Flexibility, Work from Home allowances, vacation and PTO provided by the firm. (details will be explained).
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