Why Your Attorney Should Sound Like a Human Being

Posted by Trevor Daniel | Daniel Law P.C.

I’ll never forget a conversation I had with a client a few years ago. She’d just finished a meeting with another attorney about her mother’s estate, and she was visibly frustrated.

“Trevor,” she said, “I spent an hour in that office and I still have no idea what he actually told me. He kept talking about ‘ancillary probate proceedings’ and ‘per stirpes distributions’ and something called ‘ademption by extinction.’ I nodded along, but honestly, I felt like I needed a translator.”

She paused, then added, “I just want to know: do I need to worry about my mom’s house in Florida or not?”

That’s the moment I realized that clear communication isn’t just about being nice—it’s about being effective. If clients can’t understand what you’re telling them, you’re not really helping them at all.

The Legal Jargon Problem

Here’s the uncomfortable truth about our profession: attorneys are trained to communicate with other attorneys, not with the people who actually need legal help.

Law school teaches you to think in legal concepts and speak in legal terms. We learn phrases like “fee simple absolute” and “intestate succession” and “holographic wills” because they have precise legal meanings. The problem is, precision doesn’t always equal clarity.

I see this communication gap everywhere:

Clients who sign documents they don’t understand because they’re embarrassed to ask more questions
Families who make poor decisions because they misunderstood their options
Business owners who avoid necessary legal planning because previous attorneys made it sound impossibly complex
People who hire attorneys based on who sounds the smartest rather than who explains things most clearly

None of this serves anyone well.

What Clear Communication Actually Looks Like

Clear communication in legal services isn’t about dumbing things down—it’s about making complex concepts accessible without losing their meaning.

Here’s my approach:

Start with the bottom line. Before diving into details, I tell clients what they most need to know. “Yes, you’ll likely need to go through probate, but it’s not as scary or expensive as you might think.” Then we can discuss the details.

Use everyday language. Instead of “testamentary capacity,” I say “mentally capable of making decisions about their will.” Instead of “residuary beneficiary,” I say “whoever gets what’s left after specific gifts are distributed.”

Use analogies that make sense. Legal concepts often mirror everyday situations. A power of attorney is like giving someone permission to sign your name when you can’t. A trust is like setting up rules for how your money should be managed and distributed.

Check for understanding. I regularly pause to ask, “Does that make sense?” or “What questions do you have about that?” These aren’t rhetorical questions—I actually want to know if I need to explain something differently.

Confirm the key points. At the end of important conversations, I summarize the main takeaways and next steps to make sure we’re on the same page.

Real Examples from Real Conversations

Let me show you what this looks like in practice across different types of legal matters:

Estate Planning Translation

Legal jargon version: “We’ll establish a revocable inter vivos trust with pour-over will provisions to avoid ancillary probate while maintaining grantor control during lifetime with step-up basis advantages for beneficiaries.”

Clear communication version: “We’ll set up a trust that you control completely while you’re alive, but that will avoid court proceedings when you pass away. Your kids will inherit your assets without going through probate, and they’ll get tax benefits too. You can change anything about it anytime you want.”

Both versions are legally accurate, but only one helps the client make an informed decision.

Business Law Explanation

Legal jargon version: “The operating agreement should include comprehensive buy-sell provisions with valuation methodologies and funding mechanisms to address involuntary transfer events.”

Clear communication version: “We need to decide what happens if one of you wants to leave the business, gets divorced, or passes away. How do you value each person’s share? How does the remaining partner buy out the departing one? These decisions are much easier to make now when everyone’s getting along.”

Real Estate Guidance

Legal jargon version: “The purchase agreement contains standard contingency clauses regarding financing, inspection, and title review with specific performance remedies and liquidated damages provisions.”

Clear communication version: “This contract gives you three ways to back out if things don’t go as expected: if you can’t get financing, if the inspection reveals major problems, or if there are issues with the property’s title. If you back out for other reasons, you might lose your deposit.”

Why This Matters More Than You Think

Clear communication isn’t just about client satisfaction (though that matters). It leads to better outcomes in several important ways:

Better decision-making. When clients understand their options, they make decisions that align with their actual goals and values, not just what sounds good in the moment.

Fewer misunderstandings. Clear explanations upfront prevent problems later when clients have different expectations about what was agreed upon.

Increased compliance. People are more likely to follow through on plans they understand. Estate planning documents that sit in drawers because families don’t understand them don’t help anyone.

Reduced anxiety. Legal matters are already stressful. Confusion about what’s happening makes everything worse.

Stronger attorney-client relationships. When clients feel heard and understood, they’re more likely to provide all the information needed to help them effectively.

The Questions That Matter

Part of clear communication is asking the right questions in the right way. Instead of just collecting facts, I try to understand the person behind the legal issue:

“What’s your biggest concern about this situation?”
“What would a successful outcome look like for you?”
“Have you dealt with anything like this before?”
“How do you prefer to receive updates about your case?”
“What questions are you afraid to ask?”

That last question often reveals the most important information. Clients sometimes worry about seeming ignorant or taking up too much time, so they don’t ask about things that are really bothering them.

Written Communication That Actually Helps

Clear communication extends beyond face-to-face meetings. The documents I prepare and the emails I send should be just as accessible:

Letters that explain rather than just inform. Instead of “Enclosed please find the executed trust documents,” I write, “I’ve attached your completed trust documents. The most important thing to remember is that assets need to be titled in the trust’s name to get the benefits we discussed. I’ve included a list of next steps to make this easy.”

Documents with plain English explanations. While legal documents must include specific language for legal validity, I include cover sheets or explanatory sections that translate the key provisions into everyday language.

Email updates that keep clients informed. Regular communication about case progress, even when there’s nothing dramatic to report, helps clients feel involved and reduces anxiety.

When Complexity Is Necessary

I want to be clear about something: not every legal concept can be reduced to simple terms without losing important meaning. Sometimes the complexity is inherent in the law itself, and attempting to oversimplify would do clients a disservice.

In those cases, clear communication means:

Acknowledging that something is inherently complex
Explaining why the complexity matters
Breaking it down into manageable pieces
Providing written summaries for reference
Being available for follow-up questions

For example, business succession planning for multi-generational family companies involves legitimately complex tax and legal considerations. But I can still explain the key concepts and help clients understand their choices without requiring them to become tax experts.

The Technology Factor

Clear communication also means being accessible through the channels that work best for each client. Some prefer phone calls, others want everything in writing, and many appreciate quick text updates for simple questions.

At Daniel Law P.C., we use technology to improve communication, not replace it:

Client portals for secure document sharing and case updates
Email summaries after important meetings
Video calls when in-person meetings aren’t practical
Text messaging for quick questions (when appropriate)

The goal is always to make communication easier and more effective, not just more convenient.

Cultural and Personal Communication Styles

Clear communication also means adapting to different communication preferences and cultural backgrounds. Some clients want detailed explanations of every option. Others prefer clear recommendations with brief explanations. Some are comfortable interrupting with questions. Others need explicit permission to ask.

I pay attention to these cues and adjust accordingly. The measure of successful communication isn’t whether I’ve said everything perfectly—it’s whether the client understands what they need to know to make good decisions.

The Long-Term Relationship Perspective

Many legal matters involve ongoing relationships, not just one-time transactions. Estate planning requires periodic reviews and updates. Business legal needs evolve as companies grow. Real estate investments may lead to additional transactions.

Clear communication builds the foundation for these long-term relationships. When clients feel comfortable asking questions and confident that they’ll get understandable answers, they’re more likely to seek guidance when they need it rather than trying to handle things themselves or seeking help only when problems become urgent.

Teaching Clients to Ask Better Questions

Part of my job is helping clients become better consumers of legal services. This means teaching them what questions to ask, what information to provide, and how to evaluate legal advice.

For example, when discussing estate planning options, I might say, “If you talk to other attorneys about this, here are the key questions you should ask…” This approach helps clients make informed decisions, even if they ultimately choose to work with someone else.

The Bottom Line

Clear communication isn’t just a nice-to-have in legal services—it’s essential for achieving good outcomes. When clients understand their situation, their options, and the likely consequences of different choices, they make better decisions that serve their long-term interests.

At Daniel Law P.C., we believe that every client deserves to understand what’s happening with their legal matter. We don’t use jargon to sound smart or create unnecessary mystique around the legal process. We explain things clearly because informed clients make better decisions, and better decisions lead to better outcomes.

Whether you’re dealing with estate planning, probate, real estate transactions, business formation, family law, or personal injury matters, you deserve an attorney who can explain complex legal concepts in terms that make sense to you.

Because the law affects real people living real lives, and legal advice should be communicated in a way that real people can understand and use.

If you’re looking for legal guidance that you can actually understand, contact Daniel Law P.C. We serve clients throughout Michigan and Florida with clear, practical legal advice across all our practice areas.

📍 Serving clients in Northville, Allen Park, and throughout Michigan and Florida
📞 734-984-0800
📧 info@daniellawpc.com

Clear Communication