Estate Planning Lawyer Jobs in Wills, Trusts, Probate & Tax

This page is for estate planning lawyers and private client attorneys seeking roles in law firms, trust companies, wealth management firms, banks, and in-house family offices. It focuses on positions involving wills, trusts, probate and estate administration, tax-efficient wealth transfer, asset protection planning, elder law, and fiduciary counseling for high-net-worth and mass affluent clients. Use LegalExperts.ai to match with opportunities ranging from entry-level associates to senior counsel and partners across boutique, mid-size, and Am Law practices.

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Job Responsibilities

Advise clients on wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, powers of attorney, health care directives, and beneficiary designations.
Design and implement tax-efficient estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer (GST) planning strategies in coordination with tax advisors.
Draft, review, and revise estate planning instruments, trust agreements, business succession plans, and related documents.
Counsel fiduciaries, executors, and trustees on probate procedures, trust administration, and compliance with fiduciary duties.
Handle probate filings, estate administration, and post-mortem tax planning, including estate and inheritance tax returns where applicable.
Collaborate with financial planners, CPAs, and wealth managers to integrate legal plans with broader financial and investment strategies.
Conduct legal research on estate, trust, tax, and elder law issues and stay current on changes in federal and state laws.

Minimum Requirements

Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
Active license and good standing with at least one state bar; admission in the relevant jurisdiction for practice is typically required.
1–3 years of experience in trusts and estates, private client, tax, or related practice area for junior roles; more for mid-level and senior positions.
Strong knowledge of wills, trusts, probate procedures, estate and gift tax concepts, and basic income tax principles.
Solid drafting skills and attention to detail in preparing complex legal documents and agreements.
Excellent client communication skills, including the ability to explain sophisticated planning concepts in clear, practical terms.
Proficiency with standard legal research tools and basic familiarity with estate planning or document automation software.

Preferred Skills

Experience with advanced planning techniques, such as grantor retained annuity trusts (GRATs), intentionally defective grantor trusts (IDGTs), and family limited partnerships (FLPs).
Background advising high-net-worth individuals, business owners, or family offices on multi-jurisdictional or cross-border estate planning matters.
Familiarity with elder law, long-term care planning, special needs trusts, and guardianship or conservatorship proceedings.
Comfort working with financial statements and collaborating closely with CPAs, financial advisors, and wealth managers.
Strong business development, client relationship management, and networking skills in the private client and wealth management space.

Frequently Ask Questions

Find answers to common questions about finding legal and investigative job opportunities through Legal Experts AI

What does an estate planning lawyer do day to day?

An estate planning lawyer advises clients on how to structure their assets and personal affairs through wills, trusts, and other planning instruments. Their daily work includes meeting with clients, gathering financial and family information, drafting documents, and coordinating with tax and financial professionals. They also assist executors and trustees with probate and trust administration and address questions about fiduciary duties and beneficiary rights.

What career path can an estate planning lawyer expect?

Can estate planning lawyers work remotely or in virtual practices?

What are the core requirements to become an estate planning lawyer?

Which practice areas are related to estate planning law?

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