The relationship between landowners and tenants is at the heart of many agricultural operations. Illinois farm leases define how farmland is used, who bears the risks, and how profits are shared. Whether you’re a landowner looking to protect your property or a farmer wanting fair terms, understanding farm leases in Illinois is essential. In this blog, we share the most …
Farm Prenups in Illinois: 5 Key Clauses to Protect Your Land and Business
Prenuptial agreements aren’t just for celebrities or high-net-worth couples, they are a vital tool for Illinois farm families who want to safeguard their land and livelihood. Divorce can create serious risks for farmers, including the forced sale or division of farmland that has been in a family for generations. That’s why many agricultural families ask: what should a farm prenup …
Can My Spouse Force the Sale of Our Family Farm in a Divorce?
Divorce is challenging under any circumstances, but when farm property is involved, the legal and financial stakes become even higher. Many farm families in Illinois ask a pressing question: Can my spouse force the sale of our family farm in a divorce? In this blog, we share how Illinois divorce law treats farm assets, what options you may have if …
The Smart Way for Agribusinesses to Manage Legal Risk: Outsourced General Counsel
Running an agribusiness today is both exciting and complex. Whether you’re operating a fertilizer company, an ag-tech startup, a feed mill, or a family-owned food processing plant, growth brings opportunity and legal challenges. Vendor contracts, employee handbooks, intellectual property, regulatory compliance, and expansion plans all require legal oversight. But most small and mid-size agribusinesses cannot justify hiring a full-time, in-house …
Why Illinois Farm Families Need Outsourced General Counsel: Protecting Land, Legacy, and Business
Running a family farm today involves far more than planting crops and raising livestock. Illinois farmers are expected to manage land, negotiate leases, comply with ever-changing regulations, and make sound business decisions — often while juggling multi-generational family dynamics. When unexpected legal issues arise, many farmers scramble to find help, only to be left with expensive hourly bills or lawyers …
Dividing the Family Farm in an Illinois Divorce: What Every Farmer Should Know
Divorce is never easy, but when farmland, equipment, and agricultural businesses are involved, the process becomes even more complicated. The family farm is not just an asset—it’s a home, a livelihood, and often a legacy passed down through generations. In this article, Dividing the Family Farm in an Illinois Divorce: What Every Farmer Should Know, we share how Illinois courts …
Buying or Leasing Farm Equipment in Illinois: Legal Tips for Protecting Your Investment
For many Illinois farmers, equipment is one of the largest and most important investments they make. Whether you’re purchasing a new tractor, leasing harvesters, or upgrading irrigation systems, these deals often involve significant financial commitments. In this article, Buying or Leasing Farm Equipment in Illinois: Legal Tips for Protecting Your Investment, we share key legal and financial considerations to help …
Should You Form an LLC for Your Farm? A Guide for Illinois Agricultural Businesses
For Illinois farmers, protecting your land, equipment, and livelihood isn’t just about good crops, it’s about having the right legal foundation. In this article, “Should You Form an LLC for Your Farm? A Guide for Illinois Agricultural Businesses”, we explain how forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC) can safeguard your personal assets, streamline ownership, and position your farm for long-term …
How to Legally Structure Your Illinois Farm Business for Growth and Protection
Choosing the right legal structure for your farm isn’t just about paperwork, it can affect your taxes, liability, succession planning, and even your eligibility for certain programs. In this article, How to Legally Structure Your Illinois Farm Business for Growth and Protection, we share the pros and cons of common farm business structures in Illinois so you can select the …