Like most people, you probably know someone who has been diagnosed with, is suffering from or has died with Alzheimer’s disease. Despite the growing prevalence of Alzheimer’s, a cure has yet to be found. There is something you can do to help though! The Grand Forks elder law attorneys at German Law | Wealth encourage you to be part of the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s this year. What Is Alzheimer’s Disease? According to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA), … [Read more...] about Be Part of the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s®
Estate Planning for the Family Farm
There was a time in America when family farms and ranches were common place. Although that time has long since passed, family farms are still alive and well in some areas of the country. If you are the owner of a family farm, the odds are good that is has been passed down through your family from one generation to the next for decades -- if not centuries. If you plan to continue that tradition by passing the farm on to your children, planning is the key to a successful transition from one … [Read more...] about Estate Planning for the Family Farm
How Can a Trustee Cause a Trust to Fail?
If you are one of the many people who choose to include a trust as part of your overall estate plan, one of the most important decisions you will make when creating that trust is your choice of Trustee. In fact, your choice of Trustee could be the key factor in determining whether your trust succeeds or fails. To help you better understand the importance of choosing the right Trustee, a Grand Forks trust attorney at German Law explains how a Trustee could cause your trust to fail. Trust … [Read more...] about How Can a Trustee Cause a Trust to Fail?
Should I Take Out a Reverse Mortgage?
It is hard to miss the never-ending ads targeted at seniors for reverse mortgages -- and they make a reverse mortgage sound very attractive for senior citizens living on a modest fixed income. If you have been considering a reverse mortgage, you need to fully understand how one works. The Grand Forks elder law attorneys at German Law explain how a reverse mortgage works and how it might fit into your retirement financial planning. What Is a Reverse Mortgage? For seniors who have equity in … [Read more...] about Should I Take Out a Reverse Mortgage?
Are Your Beneficiary Designations Up to Date?
If you have an estate plan in place, you are ahead of over half the population in the United States. Taking the time to create that plan, however, is only the first step toward protecting everyone and everything that is important to you. You must also update your plan for it to be successful and work as intended. The Grand Forks estate planning attorneys at German Law explain why it is important to keep your beneficiary designations up to date. Where Are the Beneficiaries in My Estate … [Read more...] about Are Your Beneficiary Designations Up to Date?
How a Trust Can Protect Your Minor Children
If you are the parent of young children, you undoubtedly want to make sure your children are well cared for in the event that something happens to you. Doing so requires careful preparation and planning. To help you get started, a Grand Forks estate planning attorney at German Law explains how to protect your children in your estate plan. Why You Need More than Just a Last Will and Testament For most people, a Last Will and Testament serves as their initial estate planning document … [Read more...] about How a Trust Can Protect Your Minor Children
How Can I Be a Caregiver from a Distance?
Today, the world is much smaller than it was just a few generations ago – at least it may seem that way given how easy it is to move across national borders. The ease with which we can all move away, however, can make it difficult to care for an aging parent when the time comes that care is needed. Consequently, you may find yourself providing care from a distance. If so, a Grand Forks elder law attorney at German Law offers some tips that can help you provide care from a … [Read more...] about How Can I Be a Caregiver from a Distance?
What Is a Living Will and Should I Have One?
You probably created a Last Will and Testament as the foundation of your estate plan. At some point, you may also want to add a Living Will to that plan to ensure that your wishes will be honored regarding end-of-life healthcare decisions. Toward that end, the Grand Forks estate planning attorneys at German Law offer suggestions regarding when to create or update your Living Will. Advance Directive Basics An advance directive is a legal document that allows you to plan ahead and make your … [Read more...] about What Is a Living Will and Should I Have One?
Tips for Preventing Estate Disputes Among Siblings
If you have adult children, you undoubtedly want to do all you can to prevent disputes between them after you are gone. While there is no way to accomplish that goal with 100 percent certainty, the Grand Forks estate planning attorneys at German Law offer the following tips to help prevent estate disputes between siblings. What Happens When There Is a Dispute Over Your Estate? No matter how old you are, nor how much warning and preparation an … [Read more...] about Tips for Preventing Estate Disputes Among Siblings
Should I Retire Early?
Social Security retirement benefits play a significant role in budgeting for retirement for many people. If you are one of those, you may be wondering at what age you should retire and start accepting your benefits. Because it does matter, the Grand Forks retirement planning attorneys at German Law explain how the age at which you begin accepting Social Security retirement benefits impacts your benefit amount. The Social Security Retirement System Throughout your working years you … [Read more...] about Should I Retire Early?