Get a surveyBy Jeffrey A. MolletReal Estate Law, June 2018A survey is nearly a necessity when agricultural land is to be purchased, and today many lenders will require one before any loan will be funded or approved.
New farm bill: What are the topics of discussion?By Jeffrey A. MolletAnimal Law, June 2018The House Committee on Agriculture recently approved the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018, which will address the economic challenges facing farmers and ranchers and make investments in opportunities for SNAP recipients.
Dicamba “terms and conditions”By Jeffrey A. MolletAgricultural Law, May 2018As use of dicamba expands, there have been numerous shifts in policy and procedure.
New farm bill: What are the topics of discussion?By Jeffrey A. MolletAgricultural Law, May 2018The House Committee on Agriculture recently approved the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018, which will address the economic challenges facing farmers and ranchers and make investments in opportunities for SNAP recipients.
Get a surveyBy Jeffrey A. MolletAgricultural Law, March 2018A survey is nearly a necessity when agricultural land is to be purchased, and today many lenders will require one before any loan will be funded or approved.
Judgment for dissolution of farmland partnership upheldBy Jeffrey A. MolletAgricultural Law, March 2018The recent opinion in Palmer v. Mellen2 illustrates how a family situation can deteriorate even when a written partnership agreement is in place.
The Family Farmer Bankruptcy Clarification ActBy Jeffrey A. MolletAgricultural Law, January 2018Family farmers seeking bankruptcy protection are often surprised by the need to pay capital gains taxes upon the sale of farming assets (land and/or equipment) which are sold as part of the reorganization process.
Crop share leases making a comeback?By Jeffrey A. MolletAgricultural Law, August 2017As the historically high sale prices of farmland has softened in many areas, landlords are considering other lease options and show a renewed interest in the crop share lease. Here are a few issues to consider.
2017 rural ramblings and thoughtsBy Jeffrey A. MolletAgricultural Law, June 2017Data and general information that may be of use to agricultural law practitioners.
What constitutes a gift of farm land?By Jeffrey A. MolletTrusts and Estates, June 2017The recent opinion of Jackson v. DBR Jackson partnership, et al., presented an unusual question: is a parent’s adding a party to a contract for deed as a purchaser sufficient to vest that party with an interest in or title to that property?
Understanding USDA microloans and how clients might benefitBy Jeffrey A. MolletAgricultural Law, May 2017The microloan program might be a good alternative for many clients looking to obtain a small loan in short order for a specific purpose.
What constitutes a gift of farm land?By Jeffrey A. MolletAgricultural Law, May 2017The recent opinion of Jackson v. DBR Jackson partnership, et al., presented an unusual question: is a parent’s adding a party to a contract for deed as a purchaser sufficient to vest that party with an interest in or title to that property?
The J51 non-commercial driver’s licenseBy Jeffrey A. MolletAgricultural Law, April 2017A new driver’s license is available to the farmers of Illinois— the J51.
Animal welfare topics at the forefrontBy Jeffrey A. MolletAgricultural Law, March 2017There have been a couple of developments on the animal welfare front recently, one by the United Nations and the other from the USDA.
Where is agriculture, and therefore agricultural law, headed?By Jeffrey A. MolletAgricultural Law, March 2017A look at the results of a recent USDA study that may possibly predict what legal issues we might need to be prepared for in the future.
New source for agricultural informationBy Jeffrey A. MolletAgricultural Law, February 2017Editor Jeff Mollet shares a new alternative to the now-defunct Farmpolicy.com Web site.
Section Council travels to Deere & CompanyBy Jeffrey A. MolletAgricultural Law, January 2017The ISBA Agricultural Law Section Council recently met at the World Headquarters of Deere & Company in Moline, Illinois, to both address ISBA business and to gain further insight into the current state of agriculture from a new perspective.
Internal Revenue Service announces inflation adjustments for 2017By Jeffrey A. MolletAgricultural Law, November 2016Some of the IRS' annual inflation adjustments are of interest to those attorneys representing farmers or who are doing related estate, business and/or succession planning work.
“Actual fraud” and the discharge of certain debts in bankruptcyBy Jeffrey A. MolletAgricultural Law, September 2016In Husky International Electronics, Inc. v. Ritz, the Supreme Court’s decision settles a split among certain Circuits as to whether “actual fraud” under §532(a)(2)(A)3 of the Bankruptcy Code requires the debtor to make a false representation, or whether the exception is applicable in the absence of such a false representation where the debtor benefited from a deliberate fraudulent transfer or a fraudulent conveyance scheme.
IRS proposes significant changes to valuation discount regulationsBy Jeffrey A. MolletAgricultural Law, September 2016On August 4, 2016, the IRS released proposed regulations (REG-163113-02) seeking to restrict valuation discounts in the context of family transfers.
Future of agriculture? The USDA weighs inBy Jeffrey A. MolletAgricultural Law, August 2016Knowing where “things may be headed” can at least form the basis for proper planning or a comparison for clients who are unsure if they are on pace with the industry.
Deficiency denied due to delay in the sale of collateralBy Jeffrey A. MolletAgricultural Law, May 2016Once a loan goes bad, the creditor is often left with many avenues and options but little likelihood of a full recovery. But what happens when the creditor’s action, or inaction, becomes an issue?
FAA now requiring registration of dronesBy Jeffrey A. MolletAgricultural Law, February 2016As the use of drones for agricultural purposes increases, the need to understand the rules and regulations relating to such use will be a necessity for those attorneys advising farmers and agribusinesses.
Payment eligibility review of estates older than two program yearsBy Jeffrey A. MolletAgricultural Law, January 2016The policy and procedure set forth in Notice PL270 from the U.S. Department of Agricultural, Farm Service Agency, establishes an important potential limitation on continued eligibility of estates to receive USDA farm program benefits.
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