Hear me speak with the one and only Prof. Shannon Ferrell on one of my favorite topics… passing the farm to the next generation. It’s on YouTube here. You can also subscribe on iTunes.
Episode 4 of Ag Law Today: Last Will and Testaments
Hear me discuss all things Last Will and Testaments on this week’s Ag Law Today along with Deborah Kaminetzky, who has been a mentor of mine since the infancy of my law practice (you have her to thank for my matrimonial part of my law practice). Listen as Deborah bestows her wisdom to us.
5 Things Every New Mother Needs to Know About Wills
As a new mother, you naturally want to ensure your new baby’s future in every way. For many new mothers, infancy is a time for celebrating new life, and making a will is the last thing on their minds. For others, the process of bringing new life into the world sparks intense feelings of wanting control and needing organization. Regardless …
Farm Estate and Succession Planning
Farm Estate and Succession Planning from Cari Rincker I am excited to be speaking to the Indiana Master Class tonight on farm estate and succession planning. You cannot really talk about farm estate planning without also discussing business planning. To me, all three concepts are intertwined. Here is my powerpoint presentation. I’m passionate about helping farm families through transitions in …
Chair of ABA GP Solo Agriculture Law Committee
For the fifth year in a row, I have been appointed as the Chair of the American Bar Association (“ABA”), General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Division’s (“GP Solo”) Agriculture Law Committee. I am moderating 2 upcoming webinars for the ABA: 1. “Counseling Farmers & Ranchers, Agri-Businesses and Food Entrepreneurs on Insurance” on September 15, 2015 at 1pm ET 2. …
How are Executors to a Will Compensated in New York?
An executor is someone appointed by the decedent to carry out the instructions per the will and administer the estate (the balance of the decedent’s property as of his or her death). An executor’s duties include: 1. Having the will probated. Probate is the process by which the surrogate’s court determines if a will is valid. To make a valid …
Ask Cari: How are “Agents” to my “Power of Attorney” Compensated in New York?
Dear Cari, I have a New York Power of Attorney. It states that my “Agent” can have reasonable compensation. What does this mean? Miss C Miss C – In New York, an agent appointed in a Power of Attorney is entitled to reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred on the principal’s behalf (you are the “principal”, Miss C). If a …
What Happens to my Digital Life When I Die?
The procedures for what happens to one’s estate when the person dies are well established. However, what happens to one’s digital lives (emails, Facebook accounts, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterist, blogging, Flickr photos) is not yet clearly established. Many people rely on the service providers’ terms of use regarding death. However, many states are working towards establishing codified procedures governing digital assets …
Using Wills and Revocable Living Trusts for your Farm’s Estate Plan
Last week’s blog post focused on succession planning– this post will focus on farm estate planning by using wills and trusts (both equally important and can be easily confused). Let’s first look at the advantages and disadvantages of a will. A big advantage of a will is that it can be changed or revoked until the testator loses capacity to make, change, …
Why Your Farm Estate Plan Should be Revisited Every Few Years
It is prudent to revisit your estate plan every 3-5 years or when there is a major life event (e.g., marriage, divorce, purchase/sale of major assets, bankruptcy, children). Estate planning leads to business planning, which leads to tax planning, which leads to business succession, which should lead to disaster planning, which may lead to federal farm program planning, which should …