British or American English? Tea or coffee? Whether you’re a fan of the Brits (as I am) or not, check out this interesting article  in Wealth Management about the differences between English and American per stripes. Many lawyers will recall this discussion from their law school days studying estates and trusts. “Per stirpes” is a Latin term that means “by the stocks” and refers to who inherits your estate if you die without a will (intestate). Most wills include the term “per stirpes” or “taking by rights of representation” in their definitions section (although those terms aren’t always used in the Kansas or Missouri probate code). This article is a good reminder to attorneys and clients alike: be sure your estate planning and other legal documents say what you want them to say. Using Latin or French or other “legalese” is dangerous if you’re not certain what the terms mean, and if your attorney can’t explain a document to you in plain English, (1) tell him or her to rewrite it or (2) hire an attorney who’s more knowledgeable.

Some lawyers use big words and convoluted sentences in documents because they rely on old forms (from the 1970s or 80s or even older). My law firm, Johnson Law KC LLC, has a personal service, client-centered approach – I personally craft and review every document for a client to make sure it’s readable and that my client understands what it says and does. You get the best of both worlds – big firm expertise with small firm personal attention. I often review and revise my firm’s documents based on the latest developments in the law, business, and taxes, with an eye towards improving readability and organization. I invite you to experience the difference. If I can serve your legal needs, call (913-707-9220) or email me (steve@johnsonlawkc.com) for a convenient, free consultation. On a personal note, thanks for being a part of this conversation for 100 posts and counting – I look forward to sharing many more posts and conversations.

(c) 2013, Stephen M. Johnson, Esq.