Estate Settlement Advisor

The main purpose of the Estate Settlement Advisor (ESA) is to serve our clients and partner with our Private Client Advisors (PCA’s) in any decedent matters that result in Commerce Trust (CT) being appointed as Personal Representative or Successor Corporate Trustee, including deaths of Grantors of Revocable and Irrevocable Trusts with Commerce Trust as Trustee, or where CT has been retained by the Trustee or Personal Representative to perform these duties in an Agency relationship.

• Manage an assigned portfolio of accounts through the estate settlement process, with the majority of estates being low to moderately complex; complexity is related to gross estate size, governing documents, asset mix, number of decision makers, beneficiaries, and other attributes that affect time and expertise.
• Manage assigned portfolio of accounts with supervision
• Participate in meetings with Wealth Management Consultant (WMC) and Private Client Advisor (PCA) to support development of new business opportunities involving Estate Settlement
• Participate in client meetings with PCA to support transition of responsibilities to ESA and provide overview of the process for beneficiaries
• Complete due diligence and coordinate approval or declination to serve as Trustee or Personal Representative in accordance with CT policies and procedures
• Manage responsibilities in a way that instills confidence in CT and enhances the ability to retain business upon completion of estate settlement
• With supervision, interpret the governing instrument and applicable law to establish account records, including payment and fee schedules; write to beneficiaries and co-fiduciaries to outline administrative procedures
• Communicate with portfolio managers regarding investment objectives and liquidity needs
• Identify, collect and secure decedent's tangible and intangible assets
• Perform other duties as assigned

• Working knowledge of wealth management services, such as wealth transfer planning, taxation, estate planning, and wealth management products and services acquired through work-related experience
• Understanding of fundamental legal, tax, and financial concepts
• Ability to work in a team-based environment, assist with tasks, and participate in meetings effectively
• Professional presence and approach with a desire to meet client expectations
• Willingness to learn and develop skills through continuing education
• Ability to support and collaborate with team members
• Strong customer service skills to interact with clients and address their needs
• Problem-solving skills to identify issues and propose solutions
• Basic research skills to gather and analyze information
• Ability to maintain a valid driver’s license and meet Commerce Bank’s driving record criteria; ongoing employment may be contingent upon meeting all driving requirements
• Motivated and organized self-starter with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage basic priorities
• Inquisitive, agile, and strong team player with good written, verbal, analytical, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to remain adaptable and resilient to all situations with an optimistic outlook and align with our culture and Core Values
• Basic level proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Teams, and Outlook

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience required
• 3+ years of relevant trust and estates settlement experience as paralegal or similar role within the wealth management industry required
• Experience working with high-net-worth clients in an advisory and fiduciary perspective preferred
• Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and/or Certified Trust Fiduciary Advisory (CTFA) designation preferred
• Level of role is determined by knowledge, experience, skills, abilities, and education
• For individuals applying, assigned and/or hired to work in areas with pay transparency requirements, Commerce is required by law to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for some roles. This compensation range is for the Estate Settlement Advisor I & II – CTC job and contemplates a wide…