Why is legal jargon so confusing?

[aspentosh]

H and I are getting a will done up next week and I inquired about price. This was the email I received:

A typical will package (includes 2 wills, 2 durable powers of attorney, 2 medical powers of attorney with living wills) is $X. I throw in a special power of attorney (in loco parentis) and a medical release, if you have younger children, gratis.

If you include 2 revocable trusts to the above package, then the cost is around $Y.

WTF does any of that mean? Thank god for google.

[Susie]

It's no more or less confusing than medical jargon. Not that that excuses it. It just comes with the territory of talking about nuanced documents/concepts that aren't part of everyday language.

If you don't understand the estimate provided, don't be shy about calling the office and asking for an explanation. You should and deserve to know exactly what you're (potentially) paying for.

[aspentosh]

Medical jargon is second nature to me, so I never thought of it that way. Good comparison indeed!

I will definitely be asking for detailed information and explanations of everything we'll be getting. I just hate feeling so stupid.

[Deleted]

Thats why lawyers get paid the big bucks. haha

Your attorney should be able to explain this all to you in plain English.

[aspentosh]

Good to know. I need her to talk to me like I'm 5.

[emptygee]

Is that email from the actual attorney who will be doing your wills? It kind of sounds like they're deliberately using legalese to sound, I don't know, smarter? Intimidating?

"special power of attorney (in loco parentis)" - just say power of attorney to name a guardian for minor children

"gratis"? - please...just say free, or "included"

[aspentosh]

Well fuck. Based on her name (never met her) she might not be a native English speaker. Does that matter?

It was a little annoying that I emailed her "trying to get an estimate on what a will and trust would cost" and that was the email she sent back.

[Deleted]

where did you get her info? Was it a referral?

I also would call instead of email.

[aspentosh]

She was recommended by our life insurance agent.

[aspentosh]

Dec 5, 2012 13:26:41 GMT -5 @mavjen said:

Dec 5, 2012 13:16:35 GMT -5 aspentosh said:

Well fuck. Based on her name (never met her) she might not be a native English speaker. Does that matter?

It was a little annoying that I emailed her "trying to get an estimate on what a will and trust would cost" and that was the email she sent back.

You're assuming she's not a native English speaker because of her name alone? Wut?

Ack, I must have accidentally deleted part before I posted. Based on her name and also schooling (listed on her website).

[Deleted]

Dec 5, 2012 13:23:44 GMT -5 aspentosh said:

She was recommended by our life insurance agent.

I wouldn't necessarily trust that kind of referral unless you know the insurance agent well. She may be a buddy of the life insurance agent, and/or she may get referrals in exchange for giving the agent referrals. Her email is unclear enough and written poorly enough that I don't know that I'd want her to be drafting complicated legal documents for me...

You can definitely ask the lawyer what it means.

But to answer the question in the post title:
(1) to make it harder for laypeople to understand things so lawyers stay in business; and (2) to make lawyers feel smart when they use it.

[aspentosh]

Damn damn damn.

Any lawyers in VA want to draft a will and trust for me? Pretty please.