In Idaho, livestock, equipment, and land aren’t merely assets on a balance sheet. They are living, breathing symbols of a rancher’s legacy, representing not only financial value but also decades of hard work, stewardship, and tradition. To an outsider, a herd of cattle may look like just another form of property, but for the ranching family, those animals embody years of selective breeding, daily labor, and the hope of passing something meaningful to the next generation. A ranch without livestock, or a farm without crops, is like a home without…Read More
Livestock Isn’t Just Property, It’s the Heart of an Operation In Idaho, livestock, equipment and land aren’t merely assets. They are symbols of a rancher’s legacy. Fortunately, Idaho law recognizes the importance of ranching and agriculture, and our legislature has provided protection for farmers and ranchers in some interesting ways. Over the years, the state has enacted numerous statutes to protect farmers and ranchers. From open-range laws to statutory immunity for equine activities, Idaho’s legal framework is built with the clear intent to uphold and defend a way of life.…Read More
It All Starts with a Plan For ranchers and farmers who want their land to remain in the family, the first and most important step is simple: take action, and take it early. Start by working with an attorney who truly understands the unique issues facing agricultural families. But first, realize that not all lawyers do. You need someone who knows the ins and outs of property rights, water rights, grazing and timber contracts, branding laws, and the cultural importance of preserving land that’s been in a family for generations. Creating a…Read More
Choosing The Right Foundation Every farm or ranch is a business at its core. And like any business, it needs the right legal foundation to survive threats, whether internal or external. Fortunately, agricultural operations have access to the full suite of business structures available to other industries. Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), corporations, trusts, and partnerships are all tools we routinely use to help clients protect their land, equipment, and operations. For anyone navigating these decisions, getting tailored, farm business structure legal advice is essential, not just to choose the right…Read More
Estate planning is never a cookie-cutter process, but for farmers and ranchers, the stakes are uniquely high. For most people, an estate may include a home, a few financial accounts, and some personal possessions. But for agricultural families, the estate is often the land itself, the barns and cattle, the irrigation and grazing rights, the machinery, the fencing, the brand on the livestock—all of it. It is a lifestyle and a livelihood. More than that, it is a heritage. It is the family’s identity. And that is where the challenge…Read More
All registered corporations are required by law to hold an annual meeting. Limited liability companies (LLCs), although not subject to the same statutory requirement, may hold regular meetings in accordance with their governing documents. What Is The Purpose Of A Corporation’s Annual Meeting? In the United States, all corporations must hold an annual shareholder meeting because it is required by law. State laws differ slightly on what must happen at an annual corporate shareholder meeting, but it typically addresses the company’s annual report, board of director elections, new business ventures,…Read More
Some activities are inherently risky. Visitors of certain types of businesses, such as shooting ranges, equestrian centers, and sky diving know there is a chance they could get injured when they engage in the activities those businesses offer. To protect themselves against potentially costly lawsuits, businesses can use a liability waiver to shift the risk from themselves to their customers. Liability waivers are a type of contractual provision in which one party agrees not to hold the other party legally responsible for a set of acknowledged risks. Businesses may ask…Read More
In general, middle-income seniors have income and assets that make them less likely to qualify for Medicaid. At the same time, they may not have adequate resources to pay for the rising costs of housing and care options they need. A NORC study done in 2019 and updated in 2022 shows that nearly three-quarters of middle-income seniors in the US will be unable to afford assisted living programs by 2033 without selling their homes. It is the first study of its kind focused on a growing health care crisis. Data Used In…Read More
The LLC is a popular way to structure a business because it provides personal liability protection to the members– like a corporation does to its shareholders–but without as many administrative formalities. But if you’re an LLC member, don’t let this lull you into complacency.   As a business owner, you’re responsible for the proper governance of the LLC. If a conflict arises—either among LLC members or between the LLC and a third party—the governing documents and methods through which the owners govern the LLC may help prevent a conflict from escalating…Read More
