As the population of older Americans continues to grow at an unprecedented rate, concern about the prevalence of elder abuse has increased as well. When most people hear the term “elder abuse” they typically assume it refers to physical or emotional abuse; however, there is another type of elder abuse that is actually even more common – financial abuse. Financial abuse of the elderly occurs at an astounding rate which is why it is so important to understand what it is, why seniors are frequently … [Read more...] about Financial Abuse of the Elderly

In recent years, the population of older adults in the United States has increased dramatically. In fact, experts predict that by the year 2050, the population of older adults (age 65 and older) will surpass the population of their younger counterparts (age 21 and younger) for the first time in history. Unfortunately, along with the population growth we have also seen an increase in incidences of elder abuse. The good news is that many states across the nation have enacted criminal laws making … [Read more...] about Is Elder Abuse a Crime in North Dakota?

If you have an aging parent who you fear is rapidly reaching the point at which he/she will not be able to safely maintain his/her autonomy, it may be time to explore your legal options. Specifically, you may need to consider petitioning a court for the right to make decisions for your parent and/or control your parent’s assets. Does this mean you need to become a Guardian or a Conservator? To answer that question, you need to understand the difference between a Guardian and a … [Read more...] about What Is the Difference between a Guardian and a Conservator?

Although an attorney can practice in any area of the law he/she wishes, most attorneys choose to focus their practice on a single area, or a select few areas, of the law. Usually, that makes it much easier for clients to know what type of attorney they need when they have legal issues or questions. When an area of the law is new, however, it can be confusing for the general public. Such is the case with elder law. Because elder law is a relatively new area of the law, you may not recognize when … [Read more...] about What Is the Definition of Elder Law?

If it seems as though there are more seniors in the overall population in recent years, its because there are more seniors. In fact, the older adult population in the United States has been steadily increasing for several decades now. With the increase in seniors has come a corresponding focus on issues that concern seniors and those who care for them. At the top of that list is abuse, neglect, and exploitation of the elderly. As states struggle to implement laws and procedures that will help … [Read more...] about North Dakota Lands in the Middle of State Rankings for Elder Abuse Protection

In the United States, it seems as though we start thinking about retirement shortly after we join the workforce. The reason for this is clear enough – we want to make sure we have sufficient income and resources to live comfortably during our retirement years.  Regardless of where you are at in your life, there is one question you should be contemplating – Will Social Security retirement benefits be enough? As the Grand Forks elder law attorneys from German Law Group explain, the answer to that … [Read more...] about Will Social Security Retirement Benefits Be Enough?

Over the last several decades the older population in the United States has increased at an astounding rate. The Baby Boomer generation entering their retirement years coupled with a significant increase in the average life expectancy in the U.S. are largely responsible for the historical growth of the older population in America. Along with the elderly boom in the U.S., we have also seen a corresponding increase in the number of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. The fear of developing … [Read more...] about What to Do after an Alzheimer’s Diagnosis