Let’s face it. Estate planning is easy to push off. What’s another week… another month… another year… another five years… After all, I’m healthy. My spouse is healthy. We don’t have kids. We don’t have a lot of assets. I don’t care if what-little-I-do-have follows the rules of intestacy (i.e., the “default rules” if you die without a Last Will …
Appointed as the Chair of the ABA GP Solo Agriculture Law Committee for 2012-2013
For the second year in a row, I have been appointed as the Chair of the American Bar Association’s (“ABA”) General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Division’s Agriculture Law Committee for the 2012-2013 year. It has been an exciting first year getting the Committee up and going again with two fantastic Continuing Legal Education (“CLE”) webinars on crop/livestock insurance and …
Debrief From Skype Conversation About Being An Agriculture Attorney
I hope that my readers had a wonderful Fourth of July vacation and were able to spend some time in the sun. I had a nice time running again and spending time on a few beaches on Long Island including Shelter Island and Robert Moses Beach. Some R & R is always a good thing. Last Friday, I enjoyed a …
For You Iowa Folks – Recommended Agriculture Law Book
I recently finished reading Pat Dillon‘s book titled “Field Manual: Iowa Farmer’s Guide to Legal Issues.” It’s a great book and covers all the basics ranging from contract law, crop insurance, estate planning, farm leases to bankruptcy. Dillion is a good writer breaking down complicated legal concepts. The Kindle version is only $5.00 from Amazon. I give the book …
Spoke to Undergraduate Agriculture Career Class via Skype
Yesterday I had an opportunity to talk about being an agriculture lawyer to an undergraduate agriculture careers class in Wisconsin via Skype. I remember being that age and not really knowing what I wanted to do. To tell you the truth, I grew up looking up to Colleen Callahan and wanted to *be* her…with a career in agriculture journalism/communications. For …
Animal Law Mediation
I was recently asked whether I handle animal law mediation. And the answer is, “why yes I do.” I am a previous member of the New York State Bar Association Committee on Animals in the Law, New Jersey State Bar Association Committee on Animal Law, and the New York Lawyers’ Association Committee on Animal Law. I have also had …
Will Be Attending the Second Annual New York Agri-Women Meeting & Agri-Tour
I am especially excited for the Second Annual Meeting & Agri-Tour of New York Agri-Women around the corner. Please check out itinerary for the Annual Meeting here and the agri-tour schedule in the Hudson Valley here. You can register for both events by competing this form and sending it my way. You can find directions to the Hyatt in Riverhead, …
Looking For New Year’s Resolution? How About Disaster Preparedness
Okay, so it’s not the most exciting New Year’s Resolution but it may be a whole lot more doable than dropping 30 pounds in 2012. On page 5 of this month’s Grassroots newspaper by New York Farm Bureau (“NYFB”) includes a nice submission by A. Edward Staehr of NY FarmNet about coping with a disaster (including grief counseling, recreating lost …
Thinking About the Next Generation
The National Agriculture Law Center has reported that approximately 90% of agricultural operations do not survive the transition to the next generation. I have to say- that statistic is a bit alarming. The primary reason for this is poor succession planning. Estate planning is just one part of workable succession plan. Estate planning focuses on asset distribution while succession planning …
Recorded Webinars Will Be Available in 2012
I have received numerous requests to have the Fridays with Cari Webinars recorded so they can be viewed at a later time. I will have the recorded webinars available for purchase at a later date — likely after the completion of this particular series in Early Spring. I need to work with the crew at Ranch House Designs, Inc. to …
My Top 10 Law Blawgs in the Top 100 List (Drumroll please….)
To piggy back on this post announcing that this blog made the ABA Journal Top 100 Blawg List, I thought it would be appropriate to list a few of my favorites. Here are my top 10 (in no particular order): 1. Equine Law Blog – Alison Rowe, a fellow agriculture attorney, is an exceptional writer and brilliant equine lawyer in …
Made The ABA Top 100 Blawg List: Would Love Your Vote (Again!)
After spending the last month campaigning in the Best of Barns Competition for Ag Agvocate of the Year and Best Agriculture Lawyer, I have some more exciting news to share… This Food and Agriculture Law Blog made the ABA Journal’s Top 100 Blawg List. I am incredibly humbled to be on the same list of so many brilliant legal bloggers. …