Estate Planning

Using Life Insurance in Estate Planning

Farm families can use life insurance to smooth the bumps in a transition from one farming generation to another. Done right, it provides funds not subject to estate taxes.

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Creative Farm and Ranch Transfers

Finding ways to transfer farms and ranches to beginners is limited only by imagination.

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Dealing With an Age Gap in Heirs

How can a farmer be fair to two farming heirs who are 15 years apart in age? Myron Friesen tackles this tough dilemma.

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Harvesting

Buyers’ Market for Late-Model Draper Heads

By Machinery Insider

Inventories of late-model draper heads are in ample supply this summer, creating a buyer’s market for such platforms.

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Women in Agriculture

Fall Colors on the Farm

By Women in Agriculture

I’ve been watching leaves on our soybeans change every day as I drive down our driveway. The bright green leaves have matured to a beautiful yellow.

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Top Shops

Product Test Team: Battery-Power Blowers Make an Ideal Tool for the Farm

By Top Shops

Due to advances in battery capacity and brushless motors, leaf blowers have graduated to high-volume blowers, offering farmers the ultimate portable clean-up tool for their operations.

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3 Steps to Succession Planning

Iowa attorney Erin Herbold-Swalwell offers three steps to succession planning and a few situations that may apply to your family farm for consideration.

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Multiple Heirs Complicate Estate Planning

How can you encourage your children’s independence while still keeping the farm together?

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A Mind-Set for Farm Transition

Follow these steps to streamline the process when passing down the farm.

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When Parents Won’t Discuss Plans

These parents avoid talking about continuation planning with their 35-year-old son who’s farmed with them since graduating from college. Can their problem be solved?

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Partnership Agreements Keep Farm Siblings From Suing Each Other

No one goes into a partnership expecting to have a $1 million disagreement with their sister, cousin, or best friend.

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11 Don’ts of Succession and Retirement Planning

Marlene Bradbury has seen plenty of transitioning families learn lessons the hard way. She is passionate about helping other farm families avoid the same mistakes.