Sometimes a child or other family member contacts me and says that a relative needs an estate plan, but the relative does not speak English and the family member would like to translate or communicate with me on the parent’s behalf.
I understand the situation. However, I only work with clients I can communicate with directly. This is not a preference. It is necessary for me to do my job properly.
I Need to Know What My Client Wants
Estate planning is about carrying out a client’s wishes. If communication is filtered through another person, I have no way of knowing whether I am hearing the client’s wishes or someone else’s interpretation of them.
A Family Member Cannot Simply Translate
Many people assume that if a son or daughter speaks English, they can simply translate for a parent.
The problem is that I do not speak the language being translated.
As a result, I have no way of knowing whether:
- the translation is accurate,
- information is being omitted,
- information is being added, or
- the client fully understands what is being discussed.
Even when everyone involved is acting in good faith, misunderstandings happen.
I Need to Know the Decisions Are the Client’s
Part of my job is making sure that the client understands what they are signing and that the decisions being made are actually theirs.
That becomes much more difficult when another person is acting as the intermediary between the client and the attorney.
Languages
I am fluent in English and Russian and proficient in Spanish. In some cases, I am able to work directly with Spanish-speaking clients.
However, if the prospective client cannot communicate in English, Russian, or Spanish without the assistance of a translator, I am not the right attorney for that client.
The Bottom Line
To create an estate plan that accurately reflects a client’s wishes, I need to communicate directly with the client.
For that reason, I only work with clients I can communicate with directly, without the assistance of a translator.
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