About this episode

The episode discusses farm succession planning and how to provide for non-farming children without jeopardizing the farm's future.

Today's conversation tackles one of the most emotional and misunderstood topics in farm succession planning: how do you provide for non-farming children without putting the future of the farm at risk? Will McKinley explains why "fair" doesn't always mean "equal" and shares practical strategies that allow farm families to care for every child while protecting the operation they've spent a lifetime building. From trusts and LLCs to long-term leases, purchase options, and structured buyout agreements, you'll learn how thoughtful planning today can prevent conflict tomorrow. Will also shares real-life success stories and heartbreaking cautionary tales that demonstrate exactly what happens when estate plans leave room for ambiguity. Whether you're actively planning your estate or simply beginning family conversations, this episode offers valuable insight into preserving both your farm and your family relationships. Contact Will McKinley at Menn Law William-McKinley@mennlaw.com (920) 731-6631 Learn more at https://mennlaw.com/ 00:00 Why "Fair Isn't Always Equal" in Farm Succession 01:28 Understanding the Real Value—and Responsibility—of Inheriting a Farm…

People in this episode

Host: Peggy Coffeen

Guest: Will McKinley

Topics covered

• farm succession planning
• estate planning
• family relationships
• non-farming children
• trusts and LLCs
• conflict prevention

Keywords

• farm succession
• estate planning
• non-farming children
• trusts
• LLCs
• buyout agreements
• family conflict
• planning strategies

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Menn Law

More episodes of Uplevel Dairy Podcast

• 363 | Go All In: Lessons from an Idaho Dairy Nutrition Consultant · July 21, 2026 · 42 min
• 362 | Tax and Legal Strategies for Farm Transition with Menn Law · July 16, 2026 · 29 min
• 360 | Why Farm Transitions Fail with Will McKinley · July 14, 2026 · 33 min
• 359 | Ask the Expert: Next-Level Dairy Cow Immune Support · July 9, 2026 · 11 min
• 358 | Making a $4 Million Impact: Dairy Cares of Wisconsin · July 7, 2026 · 22 min
• 357 |  Inside the Minds of Dairy's Next Generation | Junior Advisory Committee Roundtable · June 30, 2026 · 30 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast podcast page.