Senior Estate Planning Paralegal

Job Description

Job Description

We are looking for a Senior Estate Planning Paralegal who is not just experienced — but genuinely excellent at this work. This is a role for someone who has spent years in the trenches of estate planning: drafting complex wills and trusts, funding trusts with precision, and supporting attorneys with the kind of depth and independence that makes a legal team truly hum.

You will work directly with our attorneys to serve clients navigating some of the most important decisions of their lives. You bring technical mastery, a sharp attention to detail, and a calm, client-centered presence to every file you touch. Under the direction of the attorneys you support, you will take ownership of your caseload and deliver billable, high-quality work that makes a real difference for clients — and the firm.

$65,000 - $70,000 yearly

Document Drafting

• Draft and prepare complex estate planning documents, including wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives under attorney supervision
• Prepare amendments, restatements, and ancillary documents with accuracy and consistency
• Review and quality-check draft documents before attorney review to ensure completeness and compliance with North Carolina law

Trust Funding

• Facilitate the transfer of assets into trusts, including real property, financial accounts, and other holdings
• Coordinate with financial institutions, title companies, and other third parties to complete funding
• Update beneficiary designations and verify that funding is completed accurately and in a timely manner
• Track and document trust funding status across all active client matters

Client & Case Management

• Communicate with clients professionally and compassionately, scheduling meetings and providing updates on matter progress
• Prepare and organize client documents in advance of estate planning meetings
• Monitor case deadlines, task due dates, and important time frames to keep matters on track
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date client files, digital records, and physical filing in the firm’s case management system
• Enter billable and non-billable time accurately and promptly

Team Collaboration

• Collaborate with attorneys and fellow paralegals to ensure efficient workflow and outstanding client service
• Participate in weekly team case status meetings and monthly case update reviews

What Success Looks Like in This Role

• Documents are drafted accurately, completely, and on time — with minimal attorney revisions required
• Trusts are funded correctly and efficiently, with no loose ends left untracked
• Clients feel informed, cared for, and confident throughout the estate planning process
• Attorneys trust you to run with a matter and know it will be handled with expertise and integrity
• Files and records are always current, organized, and audit-ready

Who You Are

• You have 3+ years of experience as a paralegal, specifically in estate planning, with hands-on experience drafting wills, trusts, and related documents
• You have substantial experience with trust funding — you know how to get it done and how to troubleshoot when institutions push back
• You hold a paralegal certificate or degree from an accredited program
• You have a strong working knowledge of North Carolina estate planning law and related regulations
• You are detail-oriented to a fault — errors in this work matter, and you know it
• You are organized and proactive, managing multiple open matters without dropping the ball
• You communicate clearly and compassionately with clients who are often navigating emotional or complex life situations
• You thrive in a collaborative, fast-moving environment and take pride in your work

At Carolina Estate Planning, we don't just practice law — we make people's lives better. We've built a culture where talented people thrive. That means genuine work-life balance, open and honest feedback, and a leadership team that's invested in your personal, professional, and financial success.

Our core values:

• Integrity — We hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards, always.
• Everyone Gets Helped — Great legal work ripples outward. We show up fully for every person we encounter — client or not — because we're in the business of making people's lives better.
• 100% Accountability — We own our actions and our outcomes, no excuses. That standard applies at every level of the firm.
• Growth Mindset — We're committed to continuous learning and helping every team member reach their full potential.
• Rigor — The difference between good and exceptional lives in the details. We hold ourselves to a standard that sets us apart.