Paralegal, Trust and Estates

Overview:
Accelerant Law was founded by entrepreneurial-minded attorneys who strive to modernize the traditional approach to estate planning by integrating 21st-century business practices and technology into a sophisticated trust and estate practice. Our firm serves ultra-high-net-worth families with contemporary estate planning and administration strategies delivered in a transparent, proactive, and innovative manner.

Position:
Accelerant Law is seeking a Paralegal, Trust and Estates (Mid-Level) to provide comprehensive trust and estate administration support to attorneys and clients as part of the Firm’s legal team. This role is responsible for managing core estate and trust administration processes, assisting with essential document drafting, and ensuring the organized execution of client planning. The Paralegal will play a critical role in delivering high-quality legal services and requires a strong working knowledge of probate procedures and tax documentation.

Location:
This role is based in Washington, DC and requires 3 days per week in-office.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Participate in internal strategy discussions for clients and collaborate with attorneys and colleagues to deliver high-quality legal services.
• Manage the end-to-end administration process for non-taxable and moderately complex estates and trusts, including asset inventories, notice procedures, and coordination of appraisals.
• Prepare and manage probate court filings, including petitions, inventories, accountings, and closing documents, ensuring compliance with applicable local rules and deadlines.
• Prepare SS-4 forms, manage authorizations, and apply for tax identification numbers (EINs) for trusts and entities created by the Firm.
• Collaborate with attorneys on drafting estate-planning-related documents, including powers of attorney, LLC operating agreements, Crummey letters, promissory notes, and related materials.
• Work with attorneys to prepare gift and estate tax returns (e.g., IRS Forms 709 and 706) and support probate and estate administration matters.
• Coordinate with third-party service providers and draft necessary forms to create and form entities.
• Prepare and send Firm correspondence, including engagement letters, cover letters, signing instructions, ancillary documents (e.g., Assignments of Tangible Personal Property and Trust Certifications), and other communications to accompany legal documents.
• Implement, maintain, and continuously improve systems to support trust administration and estate administration across multiple legal projects and business lines as the Firm grows and as laws evolve. Ensure compliance with applicable estate planning laws and procedures.

• Strong working knowledge of state-specific probate processes, trust administration procedures, and foundational estate planning documents required.
• General knowledge of irrevocable trusts (e.g., GRATs, IDGTs, ILITs) preferred.
• Knowledge of gift and estate tax rules; experience preparing or supporting Forms 709 and 706 preferred.
• A resourceful self-starter who takes initiative and quickly assimilates and applies new knowledge.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-energy, and team-oriented environment.
• Meticulous, organized, self-motivated, practical, and flexible; able to manage multiple complex and shifting priorities effectively.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; able to communicate information clearly and professionally; open to receiving and giving feedback.
• Ability to work independently while also developing strong internal and external relationships.
• Builds trust, honors commitments, and treats all with respect; uses those skills to reach consensus, produce high-quality work, and meet deadlines.
• Strong aptitude for technology with proficiency in MS Office Suite, advanced skills in Excel, Clio, and cloud-based document management systems (e.g., Box). Experience with estate and gift tax preparation software (e.g., GEMS, Estate/Gift Val) preferred.

• Bachelor’s degree and/or Paralegal Certificate from an ABA-approved program required; demonstrated related experience may substitute for preferred education.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in the Trusts & Estates practice area preferred.
• Experience working with ultra-high-net-worth families and individuals preferred.