Over half of all Americans do not have an estate plan in place. That fact is not all that surprising given the fact that the average person is not familiar with most of the concepts and documents used in an estate plan. Although every estate plan is uniquely tailored to the needs and goals of the person creating the plan, there are some documents found in most plans. To help you familiarize yourself with these documents, the Grand Forks estate planning attorneys at German Law discuss three … [Read more...] about Three Estate Planning Must-Haves

The divorce rate hovers around 50 percent for first-marriages in the U.S. with a significant percentage of those divorces resulting in a remarriage that creates a blended family. Remarriage that creates a blended family can be tough on everyone. Making sure you have a comprehensive estate plan in place ensures that everyone you care about is protected. The Grand Forks estate planning attorneys at German Law discuss remarriage, blended families, and estate planning. How a Blended Family … [Read more...] about Remarriage, Blended Families, and Estate Planning

Not all that long ago, an unmarried man and woman living together were thought of as “living in sin” and were often ostracized by society. Today, however, more and more couples are choosing to cohabitate prior to, or in lieu of, marriage. If you are one of those unmarried couples, a Grand Forks estate planning attorney at German Law explains why estate planning is crucial. Is Marriage No Longer Desirable? In one of those ironic twists of fate, people who are old enough to remember when … [Read more...] about Why Estate Planning Is Crucial for Non-Married Couples

Like most people, you are probably aware of the need to have an estate plan in place that dictates how your estate assets are to be distributed in the event of your death. Hopefully, you also recognize the need to have an experienced estate planning attorney assist you in the creation of that plan. That may not be the only time you need an estate planning attorney though. On the contrary, a Minot estate planning attorney at German Law explains five reasons why you might need an estate planning … [Read more...] about 5 Reasons You Need an Estate Planning Lawyer

Grandparents play a unique role in the lives of their grandchildren. Typically, they get to have all the fun with little of the responsibility where their grandchildren are concerned. At the same time, they can pass down their wisdom and life lessons to their grandchildren, providing them with invaluable advice and guidance. Grandparents also frequently include their grandchildren in their estate plans. The Grand Forks estate planning attorneys at German Law explain why it is imperative that you … [Read more...] about When Your Grandchildren Have Special Needs Estate Planning Is Crucial

Disability can strike at any time, and when it does it frequently causes financial hardship along with emotional and/or physical pain. When an individual is unable to work for the foreseeable future, they may qualify for a federal assistance program that can help replace the income lost because of the disability. Both the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program offer monthly monetary assistance to those who qualify. The Grand Forks estate … [Read more...] about SSI vs. SSDI — Understanding the Difference

For some people, philanthropy is a way of life. If you are one of those people, you probably have several charities that are dear to your heart and to which to donate on a regular basis. Those charities may even have come to depend on your donations. What happens when you are gone? Can you use a trust to carry on your charitable gifting after your death? The Grand Forks trust attorneys at German Law offer some suggestions to help you continue your charitable gifting through the creation of a … [Read more...] about How to Leave Gifts to Charities in Your Estate Plan

If you have yet to create an estate plan, you have probably had to listen to well-meaning friends and family tell you that you need to get busy creating your estate plan. For that advice to take root, however, you likely need motivation. Understanding why you need an estate plan may help convince you to get started on your plan. With that in mind, the Grand Forks estate planning attorneys at German Law offer three important reasons to have an estate plan: To ensure that you decide what … [Read more...] about Top 3 Reasons to Have an Estate Plan