Senior Trusts & Estates Paralegal

YOGEETA SHIWDIN

Nesconset, NY ***** • 917-***-**** • ********@*****.***

Senior Trusts & Estates Paralegal with 20 years of experience in estate planning, probate, trust and fiduciary administration, and New York Surrogate's Court proceedings. Skilled in drafting estate planning documents, probate petitions, deeds, trust funding documentation, and estate tax support. Proven ability to manage complex, high-volume caseloads with minimal supervision while providing exceptional client service and meticulous attention to detail.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Trusts & Estates Paralegal Pierro, Connor & Strauss, LLC New York, NY

March 2026 – Present

• Meet with clients to gather financial and family information, identify planning goals, and coordinate preparation of customized estate plans.

• Draft estate planning and transfer documents, including Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Health Care Proxies, Living Wills, Deeds, Releases of Lien, EIN applications, and asset transfer documentation.

• Prepare probate and administration petitions, affidavits, Surrogate's Court filings, and related estate administration documents.

• Assist with Federal Estate Tax Returns (Form 706) and Gift Tax Returns (Form 709) by compiling and reviewing financial records, valuations, and supporting schedules.

• Coordinate trust funding, beneficiary updates, and asset transfers following estate plan execution.

• Oversee document signings, ensure compliance with New York execution requirements, and maintain accurate records in Clio and NetDocuments.

• Communicate regularly with clients, courts, and financial institutions while managing deadlines and advancing matters efficiently.

Trusts & Estates Paralegal McLaughlin & Stern, LLP Garden City, NY

April 2025 – February 2026

• Assisted attorneys with probate administration, estate planning, and estate tax matters.

• Gathered and organized financial documentation for probate proceedings and Federal Estate Tax Returns (Form 706).

• Prepared RRR and Exhibits. Maintained legal and financial records, coordinated with outside counsel, and supported department operations.

• Managed expense reports, vendor payments, and meeting materials for the Trusts & Estates team.

Estate & Litigation Paralegal Slater Slater Schulman, LLP Melville, NY

December 2022 – April 2025

• Supported Camp Lejeune and 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund litigation through process development and case management.

• Prepared probate and administration documents for claimants and beneficiaries.

• Obtained and reviewed medical records and supporting documentation related to 9/11 exposure claims.

• Drafted settlement compromises and other court documents while ensuring procedural compliance with New York Surrogate’s Court rules.

• Coordinated client enrollment and certifications with the World Trade Center Health Program and liaised with outside counsel.

Estate Paralegal Anderson Kill, P.C. New York, NY

July 2021 – December 2022

• Prepared Proposed Distribution Plan packages for families receiving Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund settlements.

• Submitted and managed Victim Compensation Fund applications and supporting documentation.

• E-filed probate and administration petitions in New York Surrogate's Courts.

• Conducted estate-related due diligence and drafted motions, affidavits, and proposed judgments.

Estate Paralegal Weitz & Luxenberg, P.C. New York, NY

May 2006 – July 2021

• Managed a caseload of more than 800 estate matters involving asbestos, wrongful death, and medical malpractice claims.

• Handled probate and administration proceedings from intake through settlement distribution.

• Drafted wrongful death compromise petitions, affidavits, orders, and Surrogate's Court filings.

• Coordinated electronic filings across multiple New York jurisdictions and maintained case accuracy and compliance.

• Administered distributions from multi-million-dollar escrow accounts.

SKILLS

Notary Public: Traditional & Electronic Notary, Suffolk County, NY

Legal Software: Clio, NetDocuments, NYSCEF, SmartAdvocate, Tabs, LexisNexis, HotDocs, Westlaw

Technology: Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint), WordPerfect, Salesforce

Core Competencies: Estate Planning, Probate & Estate Administration, Surrogate's Court Filings, Trust Funding, Legal Research, Document Drafting, Case Management, Client Relations, E-Filing

EDUCATION

John Jay College of Criminal Justice New York, NY

Bachelor of Arts, Forensic Psychology

Minor: Sociology

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