Senior Paralegal - Trusts, Estates & Trust Administration

Senior Paralegal - Trusts, Estates & Trust Administration Desert Law Group Indian Wells, CA Full-Time In-Office $72,000 - $85,000 DOE About Desert Law Group Desert Law Group is a boutique estate planning and trust administration firm in Indian Wells, California. We serve clients navigating some of the most meaningful decisions of their lives — protecting their legacies, their families, and their futures. Our team is small, highly skilled, and deeply committed to delivering an exceptional client experience. We hold ourselves to a high standard, support each other's growth, and take pride in the quality of every document, every interaction, and every matter we touch. We are seeking an experienced Senior Paralegal to join our team and play a central role in the day-to-day delivery of our trust administration and estate planning practice. The Role This is a senior-level, in-office position for a paralegal who knows trusts and estates inside and out and is ready to own their work. You will work directly alongside our attorneys and support the full lifecycle of estate planning, trust administration, and probate matters. You'll be a go-to resource for the team, a trusted point of contact for clients, and a key contributor to firm quality and consistency. A structured onboarding period with an experienced predecessor is built into this role — you won't be thrown in cold. What You'll Do Manage trust administration matters from opening to close, including gathering assets, coordinating with financial institutions, preparing accountings, and drafting distribution documents Support probate matters including petitions, court filings, and creditor correspondence, final petition, etc. Prepare and review estate planning documents including trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives Coordinate deed transfers and real property-related tasks Serve as a primary point of contact for clients during trust administration and probate matters Maintain matter organization and deadlines in Clio Manage Mentor and support junior staff Uphold firm SOPs and contribute to continuous process improvement What We're Looking For 8+ years of paralegal experience in trusts, estates, and/or probate in a California law firm — this is a non-negotiable requirement Deep working knowledge of California trust administration and probate procedures Proficiency in Clio Manage or demonstrated ability to learn practice management software quickly Active California Notary Commission (or willingness to obtain) Exceptional attention to detail and document quality Strong interpersonal skills — you communicate clearly, professionally, and warmly with clients and colleagues alike A genuine growth mindset — you receive feedback as information, not criticism, and you use it to get better Ability to work independently within a structured environment and take full ownership of your matters Comfortable working in a small, high-standards boutique firm where everyone's contribution is visible

What We Offer Salary:

$72,000 - $85,000 depending on experience QSEHRA health reimbursement benefit 401(k) with employer match Paid time off A collaborative, professional environment where your expertise is respected and your growth is supported Structured onboarding with an experienced team member To Apply Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter through Indeed. In your cover letter, tell us about a trust administration matter you managed from start to close — what made it complex, and how you handled it. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

A note on culture fit:

Desert Law Group is a place where people take their work seriously, support each other genuinely, and hold a high bar for client service. If you thrive in a structured, detail-oriented environment where quality matters more than volume, we'd love to hear from you.

Pay:

$72,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Health insurance Paid time off Profit sharing Application Question(s): This job is located in Indian Wells, CA. Are you willing to relocate to this location or able to commute?

Experience:

Trust Administration or Probate:

8 years (Preferred)

Work Location:

In person