Many professions have their own technical language. For an example, think about the last time you or a family member was hospitalized. Did anyone use expressions, drug names, or therapies that simply had no meaning to you? Were you ever confused?
Do you remember the words the doctor or nurses used that left your brow furrowed? What does it mean when the doctor says that you have a fracture of the metatarsal or what does abductor spasmodic dysphonia mean?
Doctors, nurses, and therapists don’t mean to confuse or intimidate us. They are just immersed in the world of medical jargon that they forget what we know and what we don’t know.
This is also true of the language of lawyers and trusts.
And, just like in the hospital, where you want to understand what the doctor is saying so you can make the best decisions about your treatment or care, the same is true about the language associated with trusts. You want to understand the lawyer and to make sure that the lawyer understands your specific instructions.
Mutual understanding is critical to an effective and efficient trust or estate plan. It is essential to getting what you want and not some form or template document. Effective communication between the lawyer and client can also help to reduce legal fees.
For more guidance in this important area read A Guide to Lawyer Language: Understanding Trusts to find out what many commonly used trust words really mean and how you can take advantage of that knowledge.
Share on Social Media
