Private Client Paralegal: Wills, Probate & Estates

Mallory Pryce is a specialist recruitment consultancy for the UK property and legal sectors. With over 15 years of experience, we connect law firms and conveyancing practices with the talent they need to grow. We focus on quality over volume, matching candidate aspirations with business goals.

We are looking for an experienced legal assistant to join our busy private client team in Redhill. The role offers the opportunity to support a varied caseload, including wills, probate, estates administration, lasting powers of attorney, estate planning and deputyship matters. The successful candidate will work closely with fee earners to provide excellent client service, prepare accurate legal documentation and ensure matter progression in line with firm procedures and regulatory requirements.

Salary: £28,000+

Key responsibilities:

• Assist with the preparation, drafting and execution of wills, codicils, lifetime wealth planning documents and associated client correspondence; ensure documents are accurate, compliant and prepared in a timely manner.
• Support fee earners in administering estates, including obtaining grant of probate, preparing probate applications, managing estate accounts, liaising with executors, beneficiaries and third parties, and ensuring timely distribution of assets.
• Prepare and process lasting powers of attorney (property & financial affairs and health & welfare), undertake client due diligence and signatory checks, and guide clients through execution and registration processes with the Office of the Public Guardian.
• Assist with deputyship and Court of Protection matters, including document preparation, supporting applications, maintaining case notes and updating clients and relatives on progress.
• Carry out probate bookkeeping tasks, prepare client and accountant completion statements, liaise with HMRC on IHT and tax-related queries and ensure accurate submission of tax returns where instructed.
• Undertake client care, anti-money laundering and identity checks, conflict searches and maintain accurate file records in accordance with regulatory and firm policies.
• Use case management and document management systems to open, progress and close matters; prepare precedents, update checklists and assist with file reviews and compliance audits.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with clients, colleagues, advisers, banks, trustees and other stakeholders; manage client expectations and elevate issues to supervising fee earners where appropriate.

Key skills and experience:

• Proven experience as a paralegal or legal assistant in private client work, probate or estate administration; typically 2+ years’ relevant post-qualification experience desirable.
• Good technical knowledge of wills, probate, LPAs, IHT and basic tax issues, and familiarity with the Office of the Public Guardian and Court of Protection procedures.
• Excellent attention to detail with strong drafting and numeracy skills; able to prepare accurate documents, financial calculations and completion statements.
• Confident user of Microsoft Office and experience of case management and document management systems; able to learn new systems and contribute to improved workflows.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with a professional manner when dealing with clients and third parties; able to handle sensitive matters with tact and discretion.
• Organised and able to prioritise competing tasks to meet deadlines; proactive, commercially aware and committed to delivering high quality client service.
• Understanding of and commitment to regulatory and compliance obligations including confidentiality, anti-money laundering checks and data protection requirements.

Full-time