Deceased Estates Manager

Job Title: Deceased Estates Manager

Department: Estates Department

Reports to: Directors

Short Summary of the purpose of the role:

Liquidation and distribution of deceased estates, drafting of Wills, and administration of Will Trusts.

Minimum Criteria Required:

• Matric (Grade 12)
• LLB
• Admitted as an Attorney (advantageous) with at least three years' experience in Estates
• Basic Bookkeeping Diploma (advantageous)
• Code 08 Driver's License
• Own transport

Skills, Competencies, and Experience Required:

Non-negotiables:

• LLB
• Extensive experience in ESTATES and TRUST ADMINISTRATION
• 5+ years of experience

Advantageous:

• Experience in Greatoft and Legalease
• Certificate in ESTATES and TRUST ADMINISTRATION
• Ability to speak an additional language (Afrikaans / Isixhosa)

Skills

• Letter-writing skills
• Work scheduling and prioritization skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Communication skills
• Client service skills
• Conflict management

Competencies

• Computer Literacy
• Knowledge of the law regarding deceased estates and trusts
• Knowledge of the drafting of wills
• Knowledge of trusts

Experience

A sound knowledge and practical experience in the liquidation and administration of deceased estates, the law of succession, and the administration of trusts.

Required Computer Packages:

Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, and e-mail

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Drafting of wills and maintaining a database.
• Consultation with various clients about their estate planning needs.
• Interview family members of a deceased client.
• Opening new estate files.
• Completion of required forms on death of a client to lodge with Master of the High Court.
• Travelling to Masters Court.
• Writing letters about assets and liabilities.
• Obtaining valuations of assets.
• Attending to the sale or transfer of shares and fixed property.
• Managing income tax to the date of death by reporting the estate at SARS, applying for a Deceased Estate Compliance Certificate, and liaising with the Tax Department.
• Payment of all claims filed.
• Liaising with family members about the progress of the estate.
• Opening a banking account in the name of the estate.
• All filing.
• Maintaining a diary and timesheet.
• Drawing up of liquidation and distribution accounts.
• Attending to all matters relating to curatorship estates.
• Drawing up of curatorship accounts.
• Attending to Will Trusts.
• Maintaining a record of work in progress and submitting weekly to directors.
• Maintaining a monthly cashbook of all estates.
• Completion of all forms, Sasfin, Investec, conveyancing, insurance policy forms, etc.
• Drafting trust documents to open a trust and attending to the registration of a trust.
• Assisting clients with changes that need to be made on a trust.
• Following up constantly with the Master, banks, and various financial institutions and reporting them to the Ombudsman if they do not respond.
• Advertising the estates at the correct times.
• Compliance with the firm's System of Quality Management (SOQM), policies, and procedures.
• Compliance with the firm's Employee Code of Conduct which consists of the firm's HR policies, SAICA, IRBA, and IESBA Codes of Conduct.