Lead Probate Paralegal

The Rutkowski Law Firm

Lead Probate Paralegal

Troy, MI
Full Time
Paid
  • Responsibilities

    We are seeking a highly experienced, detail-oriented, and proactive Probate Paralegal to take ownership of our probate and estate administration matters from start to finish. This is not a typical paralegal role. You will be the engine behind the probate process, responsible for managing cases with minimal attorney involvement, ensuring an exceptional client experience, and driving matters forward efficiently and accurately. If you are someone who knows probate inside and out, thrives on autonomy, and takes pride in running a clean, organized, and client-focused process—we want to meet you. Responsibilities: • Own the Probate Process Start to Finish: Manage a full caseload of probate and estate administration matters independently, from opening to closing. • Draft All Probate Documents: Prepare petitions, applications, inventories, accountings, notices, and other required filings with accuracy and efficiency. • **Handle Court Filings & Deadlines: **E-file and/or file with courts, track all deadlines, and ensure compliance with court requirements—nothing slips. • **Client Communication & Guidance: **Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, clearly explaining the probate process and providing consistent updates. • **Asset Coordination & Administration: **Assist with identifying, valuing, collecting, and distributing estate assets. • **Problem Solving & Issue Spotting: **Identify potential issues early (title issues, creditor claims, missing information, etc.) and take initiative to resolve them. • **Case Management & Organization: **Maintain clean, organized, and up-to-date files in the firm’s case management system. • Drive Case Progression: Move every case forward proactively—no stagnation, no waiting for direction. • Work with Third Parties: Communicate with courts, financial institutions, title companies, beneficiaries, and other professionals as needed. • Ensure Exceptional Client Experience: Deliver a “white-glove” experience—clients feel informed, supported, and confident at every step. • Process Improvement: Identify inefficiencies and contribute to improving probate workflows, systems, and templates. • Support the Attorney Strategically (Not Tactically): Elevate issues requiring legal judgment while handling the majority of execution independently. Qualifications: • The ideal candidate will have at least 5 years of hands-on probate and estate administration experience and a demonstrated ability to manage probate cases independently from start to finish. A strong understanding of probate procedures, court rules, and filing requirements is essential. • This role requires experience drafting petitions, inventories, accountings, and other probate-related documents without heavy attorney oversight. The candidate must be able to manage multiple cases and deadlines simultaneously while maintaining a high level of accuracy and attention to detail. • Excellent written and verbal communication skills are critical, along with the ability to confidently guide clients through the probate process. The right person is highly organized, proactive, and takes ownership of their work, with the ability to identify issues and solve problems independently. • Candidates should be comfortable working with courts, financial institutions, and other third parties, and be tech-savvy with experience using case management software, e-filing systems, and Microsoft Office or Google Workspace. Compensation: $55,000 - $75,000 yearly

    • Own the Probate Process Start to Finish: Manage a full caseload of probate and estate administration matters independently, from opening to closing. • Draft All Probate Documents: Prepare petitions, applications, inventories, accountings, notices, and other required filings with accuracy and efficiency. • Handle Court Filings & Deadlines: E-file and/or file with courts, track all deadlines, and ensure compliance with court requirements—nothing slips. • Client Communication & Guidance: Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, clearly explaining the probate process and providing consistent updates. • Asset Coordination & Administration: Assist with identifying, valuing, collecting, and distributing estate assets. • Problem Solving & Issue Spotting: Identify potential issues early (title issues, creditor claims, missing information, etc.) and take initiative to resolve them. • Case Management & Organization: Maintain clean, organized, and up-to-date files in the firm’s case management system. • Drive Case Progression: Move every case forward proactively—no stagnation, no waiting for direction. • Work with Third Parties: Communicate with courts, financial institutions, title companies, beneficiaries, and other professionals as needed. • Ensure Exceptional Client Experience: Deliver a “white-glove” experience—clients feel informed, supported, and confident at every step. • Process Improvement: Identify inefficiencies and contribute to improving probate workflows, systems, and templates. • Support the Attorney Strategically (Not Tactically): Elevate issues requiring legal judgment while handling the majority of execution independently. 

  • Compensation
    $55,000-$75,000 per year