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Estate Planning & Medicaid Attorneys in Grand Forks , North Dakota

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Attorney and staff profiles

Raymond J. German

Raymond J. German

Attorney

Raymond J. German provides a wide range of estate planning services to his clients, with a primary focus on creating peace of mind providing for the security of their loved ones, reducing taxes and avoiding a probate, all with a well-crafted estate plan. Mr. German defines the mission statement for German Law as “Helping one family at a time pass on values, beliefs and finances, that can be shared for generations to come.” Mr. German is well aware of the growing importance of estate planning and dedicates himself to informing the public of the need for careful attention to their specific situations. He is a frequent speaker on a variety of estate planning topics, regularly presenting educational seminars for the public as well as private groups.

Education

Mr. German was awarded his Juris Doctor Degree from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 1973. He is a member of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys (is a former member of its Board of Governors).
He is a published co-author of the book Legacy Wealth Planning for Minnesota and North Dakota Families

Personal

Mr. German lives in the Grand Forks area with his wife Arlene. He has three grown children and ten grandchildren. Mr. German enjoys Mission work, reading, learning, traveling and spending time with family at the lake.

Contact Raymond J. German for any legal questions, estate or business planning issues. His other areas of practice include: Basic and Advanced Estate, Business Planning, Trust Administration, Probate, Incapacity issues, Special Needs, and Value Based Planning.

Fun Facts About Me:

  • I enjoy recreation at the lake
  • I love to travel
  • My family is the most important thing
  • I grew up on a farm in southeastern North Dakota

 

John Oelke

John Oelke

Associate Attorney

John Oelke is an Associate Attorney and joined the firm in March 2022. He concentrates his practice on Estate Planning. He graduated from the University of North Dakota with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance specializing in Investments in December 2017. John earned his J.D. from the Creighton University School of Law in Omaha Nebraska in 2021. He is admitted to practice in both Minnesota and North Dakota.

John grew up on a small livestock farm in west central Minnesota. He now lives in Grand Forks with his wife Maggie and their two daughters. In his free time John enjoys reading, taking his family to North Dakota and Minnesota state parks and rooting for all UND and Minnesota professional sports.

 

MACHELLE ENGELSTAD

Machelle Engelstad

Paralegal / Licensed Abstractor

Machelle Engelstad is a Licensed Abstracter in Minnesota and North Dakota and she is a Trust Administration and Probate Paralegal. She has been with German Law, PC since January 1995.

Ms. Engelstad conducts signing meetings with clients for both trust administration, probate, and estate plans. She coordinates the details of Trust Administration and Probate matters for the firm’s clients. In addition, Ms. Engelstad assists clients with questions concerning funding, asset transfers, and confirming information about the client’s estate plan..

Machelle lives in Fertile, MN with her husband Paul. They have 3 children and 3 grandchildren.

Fun Facts About Me

I winter in Arizona and continue to work with German Law clients long-distance.

I have been an EMT for 10 years.

I am a licensed real estate broker.

 

 

ARLENE A. GERMAN

Arlene A. German

Office Manager

Arlene German joined the firm of German Law, PC in January 2004 as the Office Manager/bookkeeper.  Ms. German earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of North Dakota.

Arlene is married to Ray German. She enjoys time with their 3 grown children, their spouses, and 10 grandchildren – especially at the lake. Arlene likes spending free time gardening, kayaking, bicycling, and being outdoors – working, playing, exploring nature, or any other excuse.

Fun Facts About Me:

  • I love visiting one of the happiest places on earth – Disney World – especially with grandkids.
  • Medical issues are of interest as I spent 5 years as a Medical Technologist in the hospital laboratories of Grand Forks.
  • I enjoyed another great profession – being a stay-at-home Mom for many years.
  • I love serving others.
  • Hit a hole-in-one while golfing (99% luck)
KATIE KILMER

Katie Kilmer

Paralegal

Katie Kilmer joined German Law, PC in May of 2014 as Client Services Coordinator and has been working as a Document Production and Funding Paralegal since January of 2016. Katie holds an Associates Degree in Administrative Assistant from Northland Community and Technical College and graduated May of 2014. As a paralegal, Katie takes great joy in helping to create your Estate Plan and protect your family’s legacy for many generations.

Katie is married to her husband, Justin and have two children, Michael & Matthew. Katie is an active member of her church and in her spare time enjoys playing volleyball and reading.

Fun Facts About Me: 

  • My husband and I love to watch true crime shows together: Dateline, Forensic Files, etc.
  • I follow Division I college volleyball very closely. Go Minnesota Gophers!
  • I got a hole-in-one my first time golfing during the summer of 2017!
Cammy Dahl

Cammy Dahl

Client Services Coordinator

Cammy joins German Law as our Client Services Coordinator, the friendly face you’ll meet first.

Raised in Minot, North Dakota, Cammy and her husband Mark now reside in East Grand Forks. They have four sons and four grandsons. In her free time Cammy enjoys walking and biking on the Greenway.

Cammy’s warm and welcoming personality makes her a wonderful fit for the German Law team!

Fun Facts About Me

  • I homeschooled our four boys preschool through high school graduation.
  • I love spending time with our growing family!
  • I enjoy baking and finding new recipes on Pinterest!
Heidi Krogstad

Heidi Krogstad

Marketing and Wealth Coordinator

Paralegal

Heidi Krogstad is the Marketing and Wealth Coordinator and Paralegal; she joined German Law | Wealth in January of 2022.  She was certified as a Funding Professional in February of 2022.  Heidi holds an Associate Degree in Sales, Marketing and Management from Northland Community and Technical College and graduated in 2005.

Heidi grew up in central Minnesota. She now lives in Grand Forks and has one daughter, Jordyn.  They are season ticket holders for UND football and hockey and enjoy attending as many games as possible.  In Heidi’s free time she enjoys reading and traveling.  In the summer she likes to spend time at her family’s cabin on Union Lake.