Blog

How Farmers Can Buy More Land Tax-Free Using a 1031 Exchange

How Farmers Can Buy More Land Tax-Free Using a 1031 Exchange Imagine this: The land you’ve been farming for 30 years just came up for sale. It’s the perfect opportunity to expand your operation—but there’s one big problem. If you sell… Read More
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Categories: Uncategorized

Be Careful Relying on Life Insurance to Provide for Loved Ones

Be Careful Relying on Life Insurance to Provide for Loved Ones In an estate plan, life insurance can be used as a source of immediate liquidity for beneficiaries by offering a tax-free, lump-sum payment upon the insured’s death. About half of Ameri… Read More
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Categories: Estate Planning

Charitable Remainder Trusts: A Smart Tax Strategy for Retiring Farmers

Charitable Remainder Trusts: A Smart Tax Strategy for Retiring Farmers A Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT) is a legal structure that allows you to sell assets tax-free, generate retirement income, and support a charity of your choice. Here’s how it… Read More
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Categories: Estate Planning, Farm

Estate Planning for Physicians: Protecting Your Legacy with Wagner Oehler

Estate Planning for Physicians: Protecting Your Legacy with Wagner Oehler As a physician, you’ve spent years caring for others—but have you taken the time to care for your own future? Estate planning might not be the most exciting topic, but… Read More
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Why Are There So Many Trusts in the Plat Book? And What Even Is a Trust?

Why Are There So Many Trusts in the Plat Book? And What Even Is a Trust? If you’ve ever looked at a plat book, you’ve likely noticed that a lot of land is owned by trusts. But why is that? And what exactly is a trust in the first place? At Wagner… Read More
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Categories: Estate Planning, Farm

You’ve Got Your Estate Plan—Now What?

You’ve Got Your Estate Plan—Now What? On behalf of the entire team at Wagner Oehler, thank you for trusting us with your estate plan. An estate plan is really just a strategy—it’s a way to leave behind a manageable to-do list for your loved o… Read More
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Categories: Estate Planning

Michael Jackson’s Estate Sells Music to Sony for $600M

Michael Jackson’s Estate Sells Music to Sony for $600M Michael Jackson passed away in 2009, but the settling of his estate continues more than 15 years after his death due to a lingering tax dispute with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and other… Read More
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Categories: Estate Planning, Probate

What Is Stepped-Up Basis and Why It Matters in Estate Planning

What Is Stepped-Up Basis and Why It Matters in Estate Planning Stepped-up basis is one of those topics that comes up a lot when we’re working with farm families on their estate plans. It’s a tax tool that can make a big difference, but like any t… Read More
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Categories: Estate Planning, Farm

Wills, Trusts, and Dying Intestate: How They Differ

Wills, Trusts, and Dying Intestate: How They Differ Most people understand that having an estate plan benefits them and their loved ones. However, many individuals do not initiate the estate planning process because they do not fully understand the n… Read More
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Categories: Estate Planning

The Passing of James Earl Jones

The Passing of James Earl Jones “No, I am your father.” These words, uttered by James Earl Jones in his voice-over role as Darth Vader, are indelible in the minds of Star Wars fans. Jones is also well known for voicing Mufasa in The Lion King and… Read More
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Categories: Estate Planning