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

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?

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

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?

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?

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?

Issues that impact the elderly are very much on the American conscious of late. The Alzheimer’s crisis, for example, is something that touches almost everyone. Whether you are concerned about developing the disease yourself, or you have a loved one who you are worried about, you need to understand as much about Alzheimer’s disease as possible. To help get you started, the Grand Forks elder law attorneys at German Law explain what you should know about Alzheimer’s disease. What Is Alzheimer’s … [Read more...] about Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease