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Estate planning is the conversation every Iowa farm family knows they should have — and keeps putting off. In this episode of The Back 40, attorney Jennifer Zahradnik explains, in plain English, what happens to your farm when you're gone, and why "the kids will figure it out" is the riskiest plan there is.

For farm families, estate planning is different than it is for anyone in town: the land is usually the biggest asset, one child often farmed while the others didn't, and the ground isn't just an asset — it's the family. Jen breaks down what you need to know before you sit down at the kitchen table.

In this episode:

• The difference between a will and a trust — in everyday terms
• What probate is, and why it matters for keeping your farm running
• Why farmland makes estate planning different from a house in town
• The "fair vs. equal" problem when one child farms and the others don't
• The real cost of having no plan — and how a fight can outlast the person who's gone
• Three things every farm family should do: get it in writing, keep it current, and have the conversation

Whether you own farmland, rent ground, or are trying to figure out how to pass the operation to the next generation, this episode will help you take the first step toward protecting your land and your family's legacy.

Jennifer Zahradnik is the managing partner of Legal Solutions of Iowa, practicing agricultural law, real estate, and estate planning throughout rural Iowa. She's a lifelong farmer who understands the farm kitchen table because she's sat at it her whole life.

New episodes weekly. Law, land, and life in rural Iowa.

Learn more about Legal Solutions of Iowa: www.LegalSolutionsofIowa.com

This podcast is for general information and education only and is not legal advice. Every situation is different — please talk with a licensed attorney about your specific circumstances.