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?
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?
Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease
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
North Dakota Ranked 33rd in Elder Protection
As the population of older Americans continues to increase, we have also experienced an increased awareness of issues that impact them, including the prevalence of elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation. States across the nation are scrambling to try and prevent, or at least combat, the problem of elder abuse, with varying success. According to a recently released study by Wallet Hub, North Dakota ranks 33rd when it comes to the state's efforts at protecting its elder residents. The … [Read more...] about North Dakota Ranked 33rd in Elder Protection
Updating Your Plan: Your Trust or Will
As we approach the end of the year, it’s a good time to think about updating your plan. This includes your entire plan, including your primary vehicle, such as a trust or will. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about Updating Your Plan: Your Trust or Will
Why Estate Planning Is Crucial for Farmers and Ranchers
To the average American it may seem as though family farms and ranches are all but a thing of the past; however, family owned and operated farming and ranching businesses have seen a comeback in recent years as consumer awareness has increased with regard to the practices of many industrial size ranching and farming operations. If you own a family farm or ranch, and you plan to pass the business down to the next generation, it is imperative that you plan accordingly. A Grand Forks estate … [Read more...] about Why Estate Planning Is Crucial for Farmers and Ranchers
What You Need to Know about Dementia and Alzheimer’s
Do you have a loved one who has already been diagnosed with the early stages of dementia and you are concerned about what to expect in the future? Although we often use the terms “dementia” and “Alzheimer’s” interchangeably, they are not the same thing. A Grand Forks elder law attorney at German Law explains what you need to know about dementia and Alzheimer’s. Understanding Dementia Dementia is a broad term used to refer to a group of symptoms that may include impaired thinking and … [Read more...] about What You Need to Know about Dementia and Alzheimer’s
Can I Turn Down the Job of Executor?
One of the first practical steps that must be taken after someone dies is to determine if the decedent executed a Last Will and Testament. If the Will is located, it should indicate who the decedent appointed to be the Executor of the estate. If that person is you, it is completely understandable if you have mixed emotions about being about. Ultimately, do you have to accept the appointment though? The Grand Forks estate planning attorneys at German Law explain what to do if you do not … [Read more...] about Can I Turn Down the Job of Executor?
