Job Description
Job Description
Probate Paralegal (Full or Part-Time)
Practice Area: Probate, Estate Planning & Estate Administration
Schedule: Full or part time (with potential for growth) opportunity available.
Salary commensurate with experience: $20 to $25 per hour with opportunities for bonuses. Retirement savings match, paid vacation/PTO time.
Location: Polk County, Florida (In-Office) Must be available to be ON SITE, IN OFFICE in Winter Haven, FL for most of the week. THIS IS NOT A REMOTE POSITION, and only Polk County candidates will be considered.
About the Role
We are a growing, client-centered estate planning and probate law firm with a home office in Winter Haven, FL seeking an experienced Probate Paralegal to support Florida probate administrations and related estate workflows. This role is ideal for a detail-oriented professional who enjoys balancing legal precision, client interaction, and operational support in a collaborative law firm environment.
The Probate Paralegal will serve as a key point of contact for probate clients, and play a critical role in ensuring matters move efficiently and accurately through the court process. This position offers the opportunity to evolve and specialize further.
Primary Responsibilities – Probate Paralegal
Probate Administration Support
- Assist attorneys with Florida probate administrations (formal and summary), including opening and closing estates.
- Draft routine probate pleadings under attorney supervision, including:
- Petitions for Administration
- Notices to Creditors
- Inventories and amended inventories
- Petitions for Discharge
- Receipts, waivers, beneficiary releases, and proposed orders
- Track statutory deadlines (creditor periods, objections, reporting requirements).
- Coordinate publication of Notices to Creditors with approved newspapers.
- E-file pleadings through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.
- Maintain well-organized electronic and physical probate files.
- Monitor court dockets and communicate status updates to attorneys.
- Coordinate hearings and prepare hearing materials when required.
Client & Beneficiary Communication
- Serve as the primary non-attorney point of contact for probate matters.
- Communicate professionally and empathetically with personal representatives, beneficiaries, fiduciaries, and professionals.
- Collect and organize financial records and asset documentation.
- Prepare correspondence to beneficiaries, creditors, and financial institutions under attorney direction.
Estate Administration Tasks
- Assist with identifying, valuing, and tracking estate assets.
- Support preparation of informal or summary accountings.
- Assist with estate bank account setup and EIN acquisition.
- Coordinate final distributions and closing documentation.
- Document probate procedures and assist with cross-training other team members.
Attorney Support & Compliance
- Maintain calendaring systems and ticklers for probate matters.
- Ensure attorneys are kept fully informed of case status and key decision points.
- Assist with probate-related research as requested.
- Support compliance with Florida Probate Rules and local court procedures.
- Participate in Florida Bar or continuing education programs as assigned.
Secondary Responsibilities – Client Workflow Support
When probate workload allows, assist with broader estate planning workflow support, including:
- Assembly of client document binders and digital portfolios.
- Data entry and document preparation based on client “Confirmation of Choices.”
- Assisting with client signings, notarizations, and witnessing.
- Drafting and filing deeds (trust deeds, Lady Bird deeds).
- Supporting team members with overflow or coverage needs.
- Proofreading attorney and staff documents for accuracy, grammar, and clarity.
Qualifications & Skills
- Prior probate paralegal experience in Florida required, minimum of three years (Polk County experience strongly preferred).
- Familiarity with Clerk of Courts, Probate Judges, Property Appraiser, Tax Collector, and related agencies.
- Warm, professional, empathetic demeanor with clients.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines.
- Proficiency with Microsoft suite, PDF document management, database management and e-filing systems.
- High attention to detail and accuracy; strong grammar and proofreading skills.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with a team.
- Positive attitude toward repetitive and process-driven tasks.
Education & Certifications
- Paralegal certificate or equivalent experience preferred.
- Minimum 3 years of probate paralegal experience (or court clerk)
- Notary Public (Florida) required or willingness to obtain within 30 days (firm-paid).
Professional Development
- Participation in weekly staff meetings with input on firm operations and workflow improvements.
- Ongoing education through assigned materials and professional organizations (e.g., NBI, AFELA, and other legal associations).
- Additional duties as assigned by supervising attorney.
Why Join Us
- Supportive, collaborative, team-oriented work environment.
- Meaningful client-facing role in estate and probate matters.
- Opportunity to grow with a developing firm.
- Potential merit bonus, training and certification opportunities.
HOW TO APPLY:
Please contact The Tessier Law Firm, P.A., with a resume and cover letter explaining your interest in the position and any relevant information or limitations regarding salary expectations, hours, or accommodations requested.
WE WILL NOT RETURN CALLS FROM RECRUITERS.
The Tessier Law Firm, P.A.
520 6th St. NW,
Winter Haven, 33881
863.220.7927 Office
Company DescriptionThe Tessier Law Firm, P.A. is a client-focused estate planning and probate law firm serving Winter Haven, Lakeland, and communities throughout Polk County, Florida. We help individuals and families navigate life’s transitions with clarity, compassion, and precision through wills, trusts, probate administration, elder law, and asset-protection planning. As a boutique firm, we value professionalism, organization, and teamwork, while maintaining a warm, respectful environment where every team member’s contributions matter. Our practice emphasizes thoughtful solutions, clear communication, and long-term client relationships—making this an ideal workplace for professionals who want meaningful work, real responsibility, and the opportunity to grow with a firm that prioritizes people over volume.
Company Description
The Tessier Law Firm, P.A. is a client-focused estate planning and probate law firm serving Winter Haven, Lakeland, and communities throughout Polk County, Florida. We help individuals and families navigate life’s transitions with clarity, compassion, and precision through wills, trusts, probate administration, elder law, and asset-protection planning. As a boutique firm, we value professionalism, organization, and teamwork, while maintaining a warm, respectful environment where every team member’s contributions matter. Our practice emphasizes thoughtful solutions, clear communication, and long-term client relationships—making this an ideal workplace for professionals who want meaningful work, real responsibility, and the opportunity to grow with a firm that prioritizes people over volume.