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 …
Grazing Leases for Cattle in Illinois: The Ultimate Checklist to Protect Your Pasture, Herd, and Income
Grazing leases for cattle in Illinois aren’t just a handshake deal anymore—especially with unpredictable weather patterns, rising land values, and increasing liability concerns. Whether you’re a landowner leasing out pasture or a cattle producer looking to lock in grazing rights, a written agreement can make or break your bottom line. In this blog, we will share the ultimate checklist to …
Cari Rincker Joins Illinois State Bar Association Agriculture Law Section Council
At Rincker Law, PLLC, we are thrilled to share that our principal attorney, Cari Rincker, has been appointed to the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) Agriculture Law Section Council. This appointment is a significant milestone, recognizing Cari’s long-standing commitment and expertise in agriculture law—a passion that runs deep throughout her career and life. Cari’s dedication to agriculture is rooted in …
Cari Rincker was a Guest on the Inspiring Business Podcast with Mark Bullock
I was a guest on Inspiring Business Podcast with Mark Bullock. Tune in for these key takeaways: * Transition from Farm Girl to Lawyer * Balancing Motherhood and a Law Practice * The Billable Mom Podcast * My Work in Mediation and Family Law YouTube: https://youtu.be/HvlnibgAQBw Check out the episode on any of the following platforms: Youtube Website Facebook Business …
Hear Cari Rincker’s Interview with Pace Law School
What was your path to law school? Did you always want to be a lawyer? When I was a very little girl, I wanted to be a lawyer but the truth was, I didn’t know many lawyers and I didn’t understand what they did. It wasn’t until I lived in Washington D.C. and interned in Capitol Hill in agriculture and …
Understanding Solar Lease Agreements for Farmers and Ranchers
Solar energy projects offer farmers and ranchers a unique opportunity to diversify their income streams. However, before diving into a solar lease agreement, it’s crucial to understand the intricacies involved. In this first part of our guide, we will explore key aspects of solar lease agreements that every farmer and rancher should consider. Understanding the Structure of the Agreement Solar …
Understanding Land Trusts: Conservation Land Trusts
While the word “trust” is often used to refer to certain legal instruments in the estate planning world, “land trust” is sometimes instead used to describe a nonprofit organization that holds an interest in land for conservation purposes or for the benefit of a certain community of people. In this blog, I review the concept of conservation land trusts. What …
Understanding Land Trusts: Title-Holding Land Trusts
What is a land trust? The use of the phrase “land trust” can often lead to confusion, as it relates to a few completely distinct concepts. On the one hand, a land trust may refer to an estate planning tool wherein title to the land is held by a trustee at the owner’s request. On the other hand, a land …
Ask Ruth: How do you Terminate an Oral Farm Lease in Illinois?
For years you and your tenant farmer have been working under an oral agreement regarding the farming of your real property. Now, for whatever reason, you need to terminate that agreement. How do you do this? Under Illinois law, farmland leases are subject to very specific rule. Whether leased on a crop share, livestock share, cash rent, or hybrid basis, …
Five Issues to Address in Your Farm Equipment Lease Agreement
What is a Farm Equipment Lease Agreement? A farm equipment lease is a long-term rental agreement between the owner of farm equipment (the lessor) and an individual or company that wishes to use the farm equipment (the lessee) in exchange for cash rent. Farm equipment leases are far from simple agreements. A properly drafted agreement will navigate the following five …
Episode 57 of Ag Law Today: Update on Animal Confinement Laws
I was excited to record this episode with Beth Rumley while I was in New York City a few weeks ago getting an update on where we are with animal confinement laws on this episode of Ag Law Today. It was an update from Episode 46 found here. I am an adjunct at Vermont Law School online and several of …