4 Tips To Improve Your Legal Writing
Writing a legal document doesn't need to be a difficult or overwhelming experience. Many legal documents - for instance living trusts, power of attorney documents, wills, and divorce documents - can at least be partially written before bringing in a lawyer, and this can save significantly on some legal costs.
Even if you're not a lawyer, you'll still encounter many types of legal documents in your everyday life. Wills, bills of sale, and tenant agreements are just a few examples of documents you may need to write at some point. To help your recipients understand your documents, try incorporating some of the following pointers:
1. Make Clear What You Want
Obviously, your legal document will serve a very specific purpose. Make sure you take the time to think out exactly what you need to get out of the document before you write it. For example, if you are drafting a tenant agreement for your new renter, you'll need to include the rent you require, your expectations for property maintenance, what you'll do if you don't receive rent, etc.
Of course, you must also remember to state your end of the bargain. Include what you will do for the person signing your legal document. Remember, each party is bound to have a fair amount of expectations from the situation that requires your document. Think things through ahead of time so you can be sure that you'll cover everyone's needs when it comes to the writing phase.
2. Keep It Simple
Because the nature of a legal document is often complicated, it's best to keep your language simple. To promote readability, use words that everyone understands, not convoluted legal jargon or unnecessarily big vocabulary. Keep your sentences short enough that your readers can easily manage the information contained in each one.
In the event that your document does require a lot of legal terms, consider hiring an actual lawyer. There will be consequences if you get it wrong, so don't hesitate to spend the money if you aren't sure how to cover all the bases of your document yourself.
3. Review Your Written Legal Document
Legal documents need to read professionally and be error-free. Therefore, ensure you carefully review all of the information contained in your legal document. You'll need to check for spelling and grammar mistakes, typos, and anything else you may have accidentally included or excluded from your document.
Going over your work for a second look will invariably make your document more readable, but it will also help you make sure you've covered everything you need to. Legal documents serve important purposes, so it is in your best interest to proofread your writing and review your content to make sure it's complete.
4. Do It Yourself Without Doing It Alone
If you are not sure, ask for advice. Legal documents require careful planning to make sure you include every last detail. Again, don't be afraid to ask for a lawyer help if you feel you need it.
Some More of General Tips for Writing Legal Documents
- Plan your document. Make yourself a list of all the points that need to be addressed.
- Use a readable typeface, like Times New Roman.
- Divide your document into sections, and the sections into smaller segments if necessary.
- Don't use any slang, and omit needless words.
- Use simple phrases.
- Organize your content in order of importance.
- Use numerals instead of written words for numbers.
- Know where to go for reliable answers on correct grammar and spelling.