1

Probate Legal Assistant Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Estate Attorney

Cookeville, TN · On-site

$80K/yr

Compensation: $80,000 Responsibilities: * Assist clients effectively by understanding their needs ... At least 1-2 years of working in a law firm on on estate planning and probate law issues is ...

Temporary Law Clerk (Probate Court)

Memphis, TN · On-site

$55K - $69K/yr

... drafting, and assist with case management for specified durations. Pay Grade: 41H Minimum ... Conducts deep, accurate research on complex legal issues using tools like Westlaw/Lexis, and draft ...

Intake Specialist

Bartlett, TN · On-site

$19 - $22/hr

We are a family law and probate/estate planning law firm focused on helping our clients navigate ... assist them. We believe that clients come to us with personal problems that involve the legal ...

Intake Specialist

Arlington, TN · On-site

$19 - $22/hr

... assist them through our services? Do you enjoy active listening and utilizing problem solving ... We are a family law and probate/estate planning law firm focused on helping our clients navigate ...

Probate Legal Assistant information

See Tennessee salary details

$24.5K

$43.8K

$67.2K

How much do probate legal assistant jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for probate legal assistant in Tennessee is $43,761.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $34,500.00 and $49,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a probate legal assistant?

Probate Legal Assistants are professionals who support probate attorneys in managing the legal process of administering a deceased person's estate. Their duties often include preparing legal documents, filing court forms, communicating with clients and beneficiaries, and maintaining records related to wills, trusts, and estate plans. They help ensure that the probate process runs smoothly and in compliance with legal requirements. Probate Legal Assistants must have strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a good understanding of probate law and court procedures.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a probate legal assistant?

To thrive as a Probate Legal Assistant, you need a solid understanding of probate law, strong organizational skills, and experience with legal documentation, typically supported by a paralegal certificate or related education. Familiarity with case management software, court filing systems, and Microsoft Office Suite is usually required. Attention to detail, discretion, and effective communication are essential soft skills for managing sensitive information and interacting with clients and courts. These abilities ensure accurate case handling, efficient workflow, and the provision of reliable support to attorneys and clients during complex probate processes.

What are some common challenges faced by probate legal assistants, and how can they be managed effectively?

Probate Legal Assistants often encounter challenges such as managing strict court deadlines, handling sensitive client information, and coordinating communication between attorneys, clients, and courts. To manage these effectively, strong organizational skills and attention to detail are essential, as is proficiency with legal software and calendaring systems. Regular check-ins with supervising attorneys and proactive communication help ensure tasks are completed accurately and on time, contributing to a supportive and efficient team environment.

What is the difference between Probate Legal Assistant vs Paralegal?

AspectProbate Legal AssistantParalegal
CredentialsHigh school diploma or associate degree; some certificationsAssociate degree or paralegal certificate
Work EnvironmentLaw firms, estate planning, probate courtsVarious legal practice areas, including probate
Employer & Industry UsageSpecialized in estate and probate lawBroader legal fields, including probate
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for support roles in probateMore general legal support role

While both Probate Legal Assistants and Paralegals support legal teams, Probate Legal Assistants focus specifically on estate and probate cases, often with specialized knowledge in this area. Paralegals have a broader scope across various legal fields but may also work in probate. The key difference lies in specialization and the typical work environment.

How to become a probate legal assistant?

To become a probate legal assistant, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, along with some post-secondary education or certification in legal studies or paralegal programs. Relevant skills include knowledge of probate procedures, strong organizational abilities, and proficiency with legal software; some employers may prefer candidates with prior experience in estate or probate law. Certification as a paralegal can enhance job prospects, and on-the-job training is common in this role.

What are popular job titles related to Probate Legal Assistant jobs in Tennessee?

For Probate Legal Assistant jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Probate Legal Assistant jobs in Tennessee look for?

The top searched job categories for Probate Legal Assistant jobs in Tennessee are:

What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Probate Legal Assistant jobs?

Cities in Tennessee with the most Probate Legal Assistant job openings:

Infographic showing various Probate Legal Assistant job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $43,761 per year, or $21 per hour.

Estate Planning and Probate Paralegal

Egerton McAfee

Knoxville, TN

$60K - $70K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 8 days ago


Job description

Estate Planning and Probate Paralegal 

Egerton, McAfee, Armistead & Davis, P.C. | Knoxville, Tennessee 

About Us

Egerton McAfee is a long-standing Knoxville law firm serving clients in corporate civil law, tax, business, estate planning, trusts, probate, real estate, and related matters.

About You

The Estate Planning and Probate Paralegal will support attorneys and clients through estate planning, probate, trust administration, asset-transfer, and fiduciary-support work. 

You are the person who brings order, care, and follow-through to sensitive legal matters. Families are making decisions about legacy, loss, assets, and responsibility; attorneys are relying on accurate files, clean drafts, and deadlines that do not move. If you are an experienced estate planning or probate paralegal who likes detailed work and meaningful client contact, Egerton McAfee offers the chance to do high-trust work inside one of Knoxville's long-standing law firms. 

What you'll do:

Help attorneys deliver accurate, compassionate, timely estate planning and probate services by organizing client information, preparing high-quality documents, tracking deadlines, coordinating with courts and third parties, and maintaining the level of trust and discretion required in sensitive family and financial matters. 

You will support wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance directives, probate pleadings, trust administration, asset transfers, and related court or agency filings through communication with clients, courts, banks, insurers, title companies, and other third parties with professionalism and discretion. 

Additional tasks include:

  • Gather, analyze, and organize client information for estate planning, probate, and trust administration matters. 
  • Assist with drafting wills, trusts, advance directives, powers of attorney, probate pleadings, and related correspondence. 
  • Prepare and file legal documents with courts, government agencies, and other required recipients. 
  • Coordinate client meetings, attorney preparation, hearing preparation, and case-status communications. 
  • Support trust and estate administration, including asset tracking, distribution tracking, institutional communications, and compliance with governing documents. 
  • Stay current on relevant estate planning, probate, trust, and fiduciary-administration processes. 
  • Provide calm, discreet, responsive service to clients handling sensitive family, financial, and legacy matters. 

What we're looking for from you:

You will be successful here if you are accurate, organized, calm with clients, comfortable learning technology, and able to keep complex matters moving.  We also look for:

  • Associate degree or higher in paralegal studies or a related field; paralegal certification preferred. 
  • Direct estate planning, probate, trust administration, or closely related legal-support experience. 
  • Strong document drafting, proofreading, legal research, file management, and deadline-management skills. 
  • Professional written and verbal communication with clients, attorneys, courts, and third parties. 
  • High discretion with confidential personal, financial, and family information. 
  • Ability to work independently while collaborating closely with attorneys and legal support teammates. 
  • Familiarity with estate, trust, probate, tax, and fiduciary-administration concepts; fiduciary income tax preparation experience is a plus. 
  • Comfort learning legal technology, document assembly, and case-management tools. 

Compensation & Benefits

  • Competitive salary between $60,000-$70,000 annually
  • Health, Dental, & Vision benefits
  • Life Insurance
  • 401k + 3% matching
  • Supplemental/Disability Insurance
  • 8 paid holidays per year
  • PTO