Most people, at some point in their life, either create a Power of Attorney (POA) or act as an Agent under a POA created by someone else. Unfortunately, a Power of Attorney is also one of the most frequently abused legal documents. One reason for that is that all too often the person creating the POA does not truly understand the power and authority conveyed in the document. With that in mind, the Grand Forks estate planning attorneys at German Law Group want to make sure that you understand … [Read more...] about What Type of Power of Attorney Do I Need?
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How to Protect Your Partner
Not all that long ago, an unmarried man and woman living together were considered to be 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 Fargo estate planning attorney at German Law Group explains how to protect your partner in your estate plan. Is Marriage No Longer Desirable? In one of those ironic twists of fate, people who are old enough to … [Read more...] about How to Protect Your Partner
Questions to Consider When Creating Your Will
For most people, the first estate planning document they create is a Last Will and Testament. If you are planning to execute a Will for the first time, you should give ample thought to the contents of that Will ahead of time. To help you, the Grand Forks estate planning attorneys at German Law Group suggest questions to ask yourself when creating a Will. What Is a Last Will and Testament? At its most basic, a Last Will and Testament is a legal document that communicates a person's final … [Read more...] about Questions to Consider When Creating Your Will
What Is a HIPAA Release?
The acronym HIPAA stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. In this post, we will explain why this piece of legislation is something to take into consideration when you are planning your estate. Advance Directives for Health Care Everyone is well aware of the fact that you have to facilitate postmortem asset transfers when you put your estate plan in place. A lot of people think this is the long and short of it, but a proper estate plan will also address … [Read more...] about What Is a HIPAA Release?
Academy’s Fall Summit Virtually Perfect
You want your estate planning to be handled by an attorney who stays current on the law. The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys is holding its semi-annual conference providing education and learning for its Members. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about Academy’s Fall Summit Virtually Perfect
How Can I Prevent My Will from Being Contested?
If you have executed a Last Will and Testament, you are undoubtedly counting on the terms of that Will being followed during the probate of your estate. After all, a primary motivation for creating a Will is the ability to dictate how your estate assets will be distributed when you are gone. If someone successfully challenges your Will, however, your wishes will not be honored, and your estate will be distributed using the state’s intestate succession laws. A Grand Forks estate planning attorney … [Read more...] about How Can I Prevent My Will from Being Contested?
Chadwick Boseman Demonstrates the Importance of Planning
Chadwick Boseman played many heroic American roles and the superhero role of the Black Panther. His death at age 43 demonstrated how it’s important to have at least a basic estate plan in place even if you’re young. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about Chadwick Boseman Demonstrates the Importance of Planning
Leaving Behind Your Legacy
The idea behind the concept of legacy planning is to take estate planning to the next level. Legacy planning allows you to incorporate your ideals, beliefs, values, and faith into your estate planning endeavors. Instead of simply leaving behind assets, legacy planning lets you leave behind much more of who you are and what made you into that person. To better explain, a Grand Forks legacy planning attorney at German Law Group explains how you can leave behind your legacy Traditional … [Read more...] about Leaving Behind Your Legacy
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 Group 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 … [Read more...] about What You Need to Know about Dementia and Alzheimer’s
