Blog

Why Communication—Not Money—Is the Key to a Successful Family Business

Why Communication—Not Money—Is the Key to a Successful Family Business At Wagner Oehler, we work with families every day who are planning for the future of their business, their assets, and their legacy. While many expect the biggest challenges t… Read More
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Categories: Business

The Bank Account Mistake That Can Disrupt a Farm Estate Plan

The Bank Account Mistake That Can Disrupt a Farm Estate Plan When farm families sit down to put together an estate plan, most of the focus is on land, equipment, and how the farm will transition to the next generation. That makes sense. Those are the… Read More
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Categories: Estate Planning, Farm

The Hidden Gender Gap in Estate Planning—and How to Close It

The Hidden Gender Gap in Estate Planning—and How to Close It You have probably heard of the gender pay gap. But there is also another common disparity: the estate planning gender gap. Although the two are interrelated to some extent—earning less… Read More
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Categories: Estate Planning

The Importance of a Strong Buy-Sell Agreement

The Importance of a Strong Buy-Sell Agreement Farm succession planning isn’t just about transferring assets to the next generation. It’s also about protecting the farm when life takes an unexpected turn. If your farm operates through an LLC, part… Read More
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Categories: Farm

Retirement Is the Perfect Time to Revisit Your Legacy Plan

Retirement Is the Perfect Time to Revisit Your Legacy Plan Retirement changes your calendar. It changes your routine. And often — quietly and gradually — it changes your priorities. For decades, much of life focused on building: building a career… Read More
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Categories: Estate Planning

Lifestyle Changes in Retirement That Can Impact Your Estate Plan

Lifestyle Changes in Retirement That Can Impact Your Estate Plan Retirement today looks very different than it did a generation ago. For many people, it is no longer about slowing down — it is about reinvention. It is about freedom. It is about mak… Read More
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Categories: Estate Planning

Why Minnesota Farms Still Face Estate Tax Risk in 2026

Why Minnesota Farms Still Face Estate Tax Risk in 2026 If you own farmland in Minnesota, you need to understand what changes in 2026 and what doesn’t. The federal estate tax landscape has changed significantly. Minnesota has not. That difference ma… Read More
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Categories: Farm

Credit Shelter Trust Basics: What Minnesota Farmers Need to Know

Credit Shelter Trust Basics: What Minnesota Farmers Need to Know Minnesota farm families are often surprised to learn that the Minnesota estate tax exemption is only $3 million per person. With today’s land values, machinery, livestock, and retirem… Read More
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Categories: Farm

Retirement Has Changed — Has Your Estate Plan?

Retirement Has Changed — Has Your Estate Plan? Retirement can mean many different things. For some, it opens a new world of travel and creative pursuits. For others, it means quiet mornings and fewer obligations. But one thing retirement always req… Read More
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Categories: Estate Planning

The Hidden Burden: What It Really Means to be an Executor, Trustee, or Agent under a Power of Attorney

The Hidden Burden: What It Really Means to be an Executor, Trustee, or Agent under a Power of Attorney An 80-year-old widower relied on his adult daughter for help with his daily life and finances for more than a decade. During that time, she managed… Read More
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Categories: Estate Planning