Your objectives will drive the entire estate-planning process, so it is important to clearly articulate your goals. These goals should serve as a guidepost to your estate-planning attorney in helping to formulate the correct game plan. It might not be possible to fully meet all of your goals; therefore, when you meet with your estate-planning lawyer, make sure to emphasize …
Succession Planning for Your Farming Business
Proud of my little cousin Austin Rincker- He made the cover of the Illinois Field and Bean last month (the flagship publication of the Illinois Soybean Association). He is noted in the article starting on page 6 titled “Successful Succession- Begin With the End in Mind.” If you follow this blog then you know how important succession planning for farms, …
Hear Me Talk Farm Estate and Succession Planning on Heritage Greenhorns Radio
I will be on Heritage Radio Network out of Brooklyn tomorrow, Tuesday, January 14, 2014 from 4-4:30pm ET during the Greenhorns Radio spot. My interview focuses heavily on the farm estate and succession planning (not purposefully – it’s just the way the conversation went). I’m a huge believer that families should have open and candid conversations about succession planning of …
Attending the 2013 Annual Agriculture Law Symposium
I am looking forward to the American Agriculture Law Association (“AALA”) Annual Meeting on October 31-November 2, 2013 in Madison, Wisconsin. You can find a brochure for the conference online here. If you’re there, please be sure to say hello. Of course I will be tweeting from the conference with the hashtag #AA13. The Annual Updates in Agriculture Law …
Ask Cari: What are the Common Mistakes Farmers Make When Creating Their Estate Plans
I was asked this question by a farm journalist. My response is below. Mistake #1: Believing that having a Last Will and Testament is an “estate plan.” Many people think that “estate planning” is really just hiring a lawyer to draft a Last Will and Testament; however, it’s more complicated than that. A good estate planning attorney will have you …
North Carolina Farm & Food Law CLE – Contracts
I am excited to participate in the North Carolina Farm and Food Law CLE on October 17, 2013 at the North Carolina Bar Center in Cary, North Carolina. I will be giving an “Overview of Common Agriculture Contracts in North Carolina” including agriculture production contacts, custom feeding arrangements, farm leases, farm machinery agreements, and partnership agreements for farms and food …
New York Food and Agriculture Law Book for Farmers and Food Entrepreneurs – Coming Soon!
I’m super excited to announce that I have a New York food and agriculture law book that will be published soon! I co-authored this book with the great Pat Dillon, an Iowa agriculture lawyer who wrote Field Manual: Iowa Farmer’s Guide to Legal Issues. This book is specifically designed to assist New York farmers and food entrepreneurs.
Happy Fourth Year Anniversary to this Blog (and my law practice)
I hope my readers had a great Fourth of July. I just got back from the Berkshires. You can see some of my pictures on Instagram. Back to business.. I had a great first, second, and third anniversary for this blog, but I have to say – Year 4 has been the best. Thank you for support from my blog …
Conversation Starters about Estate and Succession Planning for Farms
Don’t be afraid to have open and honest conversations with your family about estate and succession planning. “The only thing certain in life is death and taxes,” Ben Franklin famously said; so let us not make the topic taboo. In order for a farm or agri-business to successfully pass to the next generation (if that is what you want), …
Overview of Common Estate Planning Documents for Farms
Despite popular belief, the succession and estate planning process is more than just getting a Last Will and Testament – it’s taking a solid look at your estate planning goals and coming up with a plan that works for you and your family farm (no matter the size). I think it’s really important for family farms to “improve the default …
My Presentation on Local Food Law at Pace Law School
I gave the below presentation at Pace Law School last night. It was great being back at my alma mater. The recording is available for purchase from Pace Law School’s CLE program. Jason Foscolo handled the first part of the presentation speaking on direct marketing, food labeling, the Food Safety Modernization Act and raw milk. I touch upon several other …