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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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The First 30 Days After a Farmer Dies: What Minnesota Farm Families Need to Know When a farmer dies, the estate plan shifts from preparation to administration. The documents are signed. The intentions are clear. But now the practical questions begin:…
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Why Beneficiary Designations Matter More Than Your Will in Farm Estate Planning Beneficiary designations often control more assets than your will or trust. Life insurance, retirement accounts, bank accounts, and transfer-on-death deeds pass by benefi…
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Using a Contract for Deed to Transfer the Family Farm to the Next Generation If you’ve been thinking about selling your farm to your farming heir on a contract for deed, you’re not alone. We see this strategy used every day by family farmers who…
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Estate Planning & Probate FAQs for Minnesota Families and Farm Owners This FAQ explains the most common estate planning, probate, and farm succession questions Minnesota families ask. The answers reflect practical, real-world planning considerati…
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Estate Planning Isn’t About a Will — It’s About Responsibility Most people think estate planning starts and ends with a will. Often, it’s a cheap one — a $100 will or a $300–$500 “estate plan” — and the assumption is that a single d…
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Why Minnesota Farmers Still End Up in Probate Even With a Trust One of the most frustrating questions we hear from Minnesota farmers is this: “We had a trust. Why did the farm still end up in probate?” The answer is not necessarily that the trust…
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