‘Finally, I Could Read Everything’: How Gentreo’s Multiple Languages, Expanding Access for Estate Planning Easier

When you hear ‘estate planning’, what crosses your mind first? For many women, it’s a familiar knot of confusion mixed with the heavy feeling that this important task should be tackled – later. The formal language, the legal complexity and the weight of decision-making can feel overwhelming enough without adding another layer of difficulty: trying to understand everything in a language that isn’t your first.

This challenge hits close to home for the nearly 68 million Americans who speak a language other than English at home. According to the US Census Bureau, that’s about 22% of all residents, with Spanish, Chinese and Tagalog leading the way. For these families, estate planning often feels like navigating a maze with half the signs missing.

Where the Conversation Started

Renee Fry, CEO of Gentreo, has been thinking about this puzzle for a while. Her company launched its platform with a simple belief: life and estate planning should be accessible for everyone. But ‘accessible’ takes on a whole different meaning when you’re reading legal terms in your second or third language, trying to make sense of healthcare proxy forms whilst wondering if you’re missing something crucial.

That’s what led to Gentreo’s recent expansion into multiple languages – Spanish, Portuguese, German, French, Chinese and more. It’s not just about translation; it’s about families finally being able to approach estate planning in the language they think in, the one they use when they’re worried about their children’s future or discussing their elderly parents’ care with their siblings.

What Actually Changes When You Read in Your Own Language

The difference between understanding instructions in English versus your native language goes far beyond vocabulary. When you’re creating a last will and testament or setting up a health care proxy, every word matters. You need to know exactly what you’re agreeing to, what happens if you check this box instead of that one, and how your decisions will affect the people you love.

With Gentreo’s multilingual platform, users can now navigate through the entire experience – from reading educational guides to following step-by-step instructions – in the language that makes the most sense to them. The platform walks families through creating essential documents, storing them securely in their Digital Vault and sharing access with family members or advisors, all without the constant mental translation that can lead to hesitation or mistakes.

The Emotional Relief of Being Understood

‘We believe life and estate planning should be accessible for everyone,’ says Renee Fry. ‘By offering our services in multiple languages, we’re opening the door for millions of individuals and families to take important steps in securing their future and protecting their loved ones.’

The emotional aspect of this can’t be overstated. Estate planning isn’t just about legal documents – it’s about parents trying to protect their children, adult children supporting ageing parents and families having honest conversations about the future. When language becomes a barrier, these already difficult conversations become even more stressful.

Research shows that immigrant families face significant challenges in estate planning due to language barriers, including difficulties understanding complex legal terms and communication gaps among family members. These obstacles often result in inadequate estate plans and family conflicts – problems that could be avoided with clearer communication from the start.

The Legal Reality

Here’s where things get practical: whilst Gentreo’s platform navigation, help guides and instructions are now available in multiple languages, the actual legal documents still need to be printed and executed in English to comply with current US legal standards. This might seem like a contradiction, but it actually makes the process more manageable.

Think of it this way – you can understand every step of the process, feel confident about your choices and get help when you need it, all in your preferred language. Then, when it comes time to print the final documents, you already know exactly what they contain because you’ve been part of creating them every step of the way.

Conversations That Actually Make Sense

Estate planning success often comes down to communication – between spouses, with children, among siblings caring for ageing parents. These conversations are challenging enough without the added complexity of language barriers.

When families can access estate planning resources in their native language, they’re more likely to engage with the process and have meaningful discussions about their wishes and concerns. The confidence that comes from truly understanding each option and implication makes it easier to move forward rather than procrastinate.

The platform’s approach recognises that estate planning isn’t a one-time event. Life changes – people get married, have children, care for ageing parents, plan for retirement. Users can update their plans as circumstances evolve, maintaining their documents and sharing access with family members or advisors, all whilst feeling confident they understand every change they’re making.

Beyond the Forms

For many families, the biggest hurdle isn’t the legal complexity – it’s the simple comfort of being understood. When you’re making decisions about your children’s guardianship or your own healthcare wishes, struggling with language shouldn’t be part of the equation.

The expansion of digital platforms like Gentreo that prioritise accessibility means meeting families where they are – linguistically, culturally and emotionally. For families who have been putting off these crucial conversations, having the tools to move forward with confidence opens up space for the real work of estate planning: protecting the people you love and planning for the future you want.