Legal English & Communication
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Explaining Legal Concepts in Plain English

Objectives

  • Simplify legal concepts
  • Use analogies carefully
  • Check client understanding

Explanation

Translate concepts into everyday language without losing accuracy. Example: 'usufruct' – 'the right to use and benefit from a property that belongs to someone else, for a period of time.' Use analogies carefully and check understanding with: 'Does that make sense?' or 'Can you tell me in your own words…?'

usufruct

Right to use and enjoy another's property (usufructo).

“Her mother has a lifetime usufruct.”

bare ownership

Ownership without the right to use (nuda propiedad).

“The children hold bare ownership.”

joint ownership

Ownership shared by two or more people (copropiedad).

“They hold the land in joint ownership.”

community property

Assets acquired during marriage subject to division (bienes gananciales).

“The house is community property.”

heir

A person who inherits.

“She is the only heir.”

Flashcards

Match terms and definitions

usufruct
bare ownership
joint ownership
community property
heir

Complete the sentences

1. Her mother holds a lifetime ___.
2. She is the only ___ to her father's estate.
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