Senior Estates Associate -(RKSEA)

Main Job Function

Deceased Estate Administration
• Manage deceased estate files from initial reporting to final distribution and closure.
• Attend to the preparation, submission, and follow-up of all documentation required by the Master of the High Court.
• Oversee the identification, collection, valuation, and safeguarding of estate assets, including immovable property, investments, and movable assets.
• Prepare detailed liquidation and distribution accounts, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and alignment with legal requirements.
• Engage directly with executors, beneficiaries, financial institutions, and SARS to facilitate the efficient administration of estates.
• Monitor and manage statutory and procedural deadlines to ensure timely progression of estate matters.
• Resolve estate-related queries and disputes in a professional and legally sound manner.

Estate Planning
• Provide strategic advice to clients on the structuring and planning of estates to ensure efficiency, compliance, and alignment with client objectives.
• Draft, review, and amend wills, trusts, and ancillary estate planning instruments.
• Advise on succession planning, asset protection, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Assist clients in implementing estate plans, including the transfer and restructuring of assets.
• Consider and advise on the tax implications of estate planning structures, including estate duty considerations where applicable.
• Ensure that all estate planning documentation is legally sound, clear, and tailored to client needs.

Trust Administration
• Provide advice and assistance in the establishment, administration, and ongoing management of trusts.
• Draft trust resolutions, amendments, trustee instruments, and related legal documentation.
• Coordinate with trustees, accountants, auditors, and financial advisors to ensure proper trust governance and compliance.
• Assist in the preparation of trust accountings, financial statements, and statutory submissions.
• Address trustee and beneficiary queries relating to trust interpretation, administration, and fiduciary duties.
• Ensure compliance with trust deeds, applicable legislation, and regulatory requirements.

Legal research and advisory
• Conduct in-depth legal research on estate, trust, tax, succession, and related areas of law.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments impacting estates and trusts practice.
• Prepare clear and concise legal opinions and advisory memoranda for internal and client use.
• Support attorneys and partners with technical input on complex or high-value matters.
• Ensure that legal advice provided is current, accurate, and aligned with best practice.

Client Relationships
• Serve as a primary point of contact for clients on assigned matters, ensuring professional and responsive communication.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date, and well-organized matter files and records.
• Draft correspondence, reports, and updates to clients, beneficiaries, and third parties.
• Ensure matters are progressed efficiently, with proactive management of deadlines and deliverables.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships through trust, communication, and service excellence.

Qualifications
• LLB and Admitted Attorney

Criteria
• Minimum 5+ years’ post-admission experience in estates, trusts, and related matters, preferably within a law firm environment.
• Strong knowledge of deceased estate administration, estate planning, trust administration, and applicable legislation.
• Experience dealing with the Master of the High Court and related regulatory processes.
• Strong drafting and legal research skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and Word.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
• Strong client service and relationship management abilities.
• Prepared to work hard and commit the necessary time required to gain technical knowledge and manage high volumes of work.
• Patient, professional, and empathetic in dealing with clients and sensitive matters.
• A genuine interest in client interaction and relationship-building.
• Strong numerical aptitude, including the ability to work confidently with financial figures, estate accounts, and reconciliations.
• An interest in tax and estate duty matters, with prior exposure to tax-related work being advantageous.
• Excellent drafting skills, or a strong willingness to develop and refine drafting abilities.
• Exceptional administrative and organizational skills, including the ability to manage deadlines, diarize effectively, and maintain a methodical and structured approach to work.
• The ability to thrive in a highly organized environment where attention to process and detail is essential.

Remuneration
• R55 000

A Consultant will be in touch if you are shortlisted for the position. Please consider your application unsuccessful should you not have been contacted within 2 weeks. We will keep your CV on our database and contact you should you match the criteria of any other vacancies.