Legal Issues Affecting Farm Transitions IFMAPS In-service training - April 26, 2013 Dr. Shannon FerrellDr. Rodney Jones Oklahoma State University Department of Agricultural Economics Assistant Professor, Agricultural Law OK Cooperative Extension Service Area Extension Agricultural Economics Specialist
Outline Elements Tools Barriers Conclusions
Why should I care? Founding Generation Second Generation Third Generation Fourth Generation 30% 12% 3%
Iowa Farmland Ownership by Age Source: Iowa State University Extension (Duffy and Smith, 2008) 55%
Challenges for the Aging Farm Owner
Perspectives for the closely-held farm business Family Legacy Business Assets
Why should I care?
3x to 4x Poverty rate of widows compared to same-age married women
Why should I care? 55% Percentage of U.S. adults with no estate plan in place
Elements of Transition FounderSuccessor
Elements of Transition Founder On-farm heir Off-farm heir Unrelated Successor Liquidation / Dissolution Ownership Control Participation Separate Entity
Elements of Transition Founder On-farm heir Off-farm heir Unrelated Successor Liquidation / Dissolution Ownership Control Participation Separate Entity
Elements of Transition Founder On-farm heir Off-farm heir Unrelated Successor Liquidation / Dissolution Ownership Control Participation Separate Entity
Estate Tools
Estate Tools - Others
Ownership Tools
Business Entities
Transactional Tools
Barriers – Tax Policy
The State of the Federal Estate Tax 2013 estate tax credit: –$5,250,000 per individual with annual inflation adjustment –$10,500,000 effective credit per couple –40% maximum rate
“Spousal Portability” Surviving spouse gets unused portion of first decedent’s credit Carter and Barbara: husband and wife Carter dies, uses $3 million of his credit Barbara’s estate can pass $7.5 million (her $5.25 million credit + Carter’s unused $2.25 million credit) estate tax-free.
Barriers to Implementation Communication Equitable considerations –Farm kid / city kid –Sweat equity Willingness to transfer
Perspectives for the closely-held farm business Family Legacy Business Assets
Conclusions Producers, we can transfer it. We have the technology. Do producers and professionals understand the tools and their impacts? Are producers willing to engage in true transitions?
THANKS! Dr. Shannon L. Ferrell OSU Department of Agricultural Economics