Legal

Trusts and Estates Attorney

Looking to hire your next Trusts and Estates Attorney? Here’s a full job description template to use as a guide.

About Vintti

Vintti is a dynamic staffing agency bridging the gap between Latin American talent and US-based businesses. We specialize in connecting skilled professionals from Latin America with small and medium-sized businesses, startups, and firms across the United States. Our mission is to provide top-tier staffing solutions that enable US companies to access a diverse pool of talented individuals while offering exciting career opportunities to Latin American professionals. By leveraging our extensive network and deep understanding of both markets, Vintti facilitates mutually beneficial partnerships that drive growth and innovation for our clients and candidates alike.

Description

A Trusts and Estates Attorney specializes in legal matters related to wealth management, estate planning, and the administration of trusts. This role involves advising clients on the development of their estate plans, drafting legal documents such as wills and trusts, and assisting with probate or trust administration processes. A Trusts and Estates Attorney ensures the lawful and efficient transfer of assets, mitigating taxes and addressing potential legal challenges. They play a crucial role in planning for their clients' long-term financial security and legacy, providing peace of mind and legal protection for future generations.

Requirements

- Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
- Active membership in the state bar with good standing.
- Minimum of 3-5 years of experience specializing in trusts and estates law.
- Proficient in drafting and reviewing legal documents such as wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives.
- Strong understanding of federal and state estate tax laws and regulations.
- Experience with probate court proceedings and guardianships.
- Knowledge of estate administration and fiduciary responsibilities.
- Excellent legal research skills.
- Proficient in estate tax return and gift tax return preparation and filing.
- Demonstrated experience in trust and estate litigation.
- Familiarity with charitable planning, including setting up charitable trusts and foundations.
- Ability to stay current on changes in estate planning laws and regulations.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills for client interactions and collaboration with other professionals.
- Excellent organizational and record-keeping skills.
- Experience conducting educational seminars and workshops on estate planning topics.
- Mediation and negotiation skills, especially in family settlement agreements.
- Capacity to provide asset protection advice.
- Supervisory experience managing paralegal and support staff.
- Strong analytical skills for interpreting and administering existing trusts and estates.
- Client-focused with a high degree of professionalism and ethical standards.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Proficient in legal practice management software and other relevant technology.

Responsabilities

- Meet with clients to discuss estate planning goals and needs.
- Draft and review legal documents, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives.
- Advise clients on tax implications and strategies related to estate planning.
- Research and ensure compliance with state and federal estate planning laws.
- Represent clients in probate court proceedings and guardianship matters.
- Coordinate with financial advisors, accountants, and other professionals on behalf of clients.
- Conduct estate administration including asset collection, distribution, debt payment, and court documentation.
- Advise beneficiaries and fiduciaries on legal rights and responsibilities.
- Prepare and file gift tax returns, estate tax returns, and other tax documents.
- Handle litigation matters related to trust and estate disputes.
- Review and interpret terms of existing trusts and estates for proper administration.
- Establish and administer special needs trusts and guardianships.
- Assist clients with charitable planning and the establishment of charitable trusts or foundations.
- Stay updated on changes in estate planning laws and regulations.
- Conduct educational seminars and workshops on estate planning topics.
- Maintain detailed and organized client files and case records.
- Negotiate and draft family settlement agreements.
- Facilitate mediation sessions to resolve trusts and estates disputes.
- Provide guidance on asset protection strategies.
- Supervise paralegals and support staff in trust and estate work.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate for the Trusts and Estates Attorney position will possess a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school and maintain active, good-standing membership with the state bar. Bringing 3-5 years of focused experience in trusts and estates law, the candidate will demonstrate proficiency in drafting, reviewing, and interpreting a wide array of legal documents, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. This individual will exhibit a deep understanding of both federal and state estate tax laws, with proven expertise in preparing and filing estate and gift tax returns. Experience in probate court proceedings, guardianships, estate administration, and fiduciary responsibilities is essential. The ideal attorney will be adept at managing trust and estate litigation and possess a solid background in charitable planning, including setting up charitable trusts and foundations. Beyond technical skills, this candidate will stand out due to their meticulous attention to detail, analytical acumen, and ability to stay abreast of evolving estate planning laws and regulations. Strong communication and client interaction skills, coupled with exceptional organizational abilities and a client-centric approach, are critical. The candidate will also exhibit superior negotiation and mediation talents, necessary for managing family settlement agreements and resolving disputes, while demonstrating leadership in supervising paralegal and support staff. Personal attributes will include high ethical standards, professionalism, adaptability, a proactive mindset, and the capacity to work both independently and collaboratively within a team. Proficiency in relevant legal and tax software, dedication to ongoing professional development, and strong networking capabilities further set the ideal candidate apart, ensuring they can effectively manage complex cases with integrity and confidentiality.

On a typical day, you will...

- Meet with clients to discuss their estate planning goals and needs.
- Draft and review legal documents such as wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives.
- Advise clients on tax implications and strategies related to their estate planning.
- Research state and federal laws to ensure compliance in estate planning and administration.
- Represent clients in probate court proceedings and guardianship matters.
- Coordinate with financial advisors, accountants, and other professionals on behalf of clients.
- Conduct estate administration, including the collection and distribution of assets, payment of debts, and filing of required documents with the court.
- Advise beneficiaries and fiduciaries on their legal rights and responsibilities.
- Prepare and file gift tax returns, estate tax returns, and other necessary tax documents.
- Handle litigation matters related to trust and estate disputes.
- Review and interpret the terms of existing trusts and estates to ensure proper administration.
- Establish and administer special needs trusts and guardianships.
- Assist clients with charitable planning and establishing charitable trusts or foundations.
- Stay updated on changes in estate planning laws and regulations.
- Conduct educational seminars and workshops for clients and community members on estate planning topics.
- Maintain detailed and organized client files and case records.
- Negotiate and draft family settlement agreements.
- Facilitate mediation sessions to resolve disputes related to trusts and estates.
- Provide guidance on asset protection strategies.
- Supervise paralegals and other support staff involved in trust and estate work.

What we are looking for

- Detail-oriented with strong analytical thinking
- Proactive and self-motivated
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- High ethical standards and professionalism
- Client-centric approach with strong empathy and patience
- Effective problem-solving abilities
- Strong organizational and multitasking capabilities
- Collaborative and able to work well in a team environment
- Adaptability to evolving laws and regulations
- Strong decision-making skills under pressure
- Exceptional negotiation and mediation talents
- Leadership qualities for supervising staff
- Commitment to ongoing professional development
- Technical proficiency with legal and tax software
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information
- Strong networking skills for building professional relationships
- High level of integrity and trustworthiness
- Demonstrated ability to manage complex cases

What you can expect (benefits)

- Competitive salary range: $100,000 - $150,000 annually.
- Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, and vision).
- 401(k) retirement plan with employer match.
- Paid time off (PTO) including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
- Flexible work schedule and remote work options.
- Continuing legal education (CLE) reimbursement.
- Professional development opportunities and training programs.
- Opportunities for advancement within the firm.
- Life and disability insurance coverage.
- Wellness programs and employee assistance programs (EAP).
- Reimbursement for bar association membership fees and other professional dues.
- Firm-sponsored social events and team-building activities.
- Supportive and collaborative work environment.
- Technology and home office stipend.
- Paid parental leave.
- Access to legal research tools and resources.
- Performance-based bonuses.
- Mentorship programs and guidance from experienced attorneys.
- Travel reimbursement for client meetings and court appearances.

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