Farm Estate and Succession Planning Program to be Offered in Decorah

It's your town. Your lives. Your stories. Make sure someone's telling them—donate to Decorah News now. DECORAH — Planning for the future of a farm, business or personal assets doesn't have to be overwhelming. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will offer Planning and Evaluating Your Estate and Succession Plan on Monday, March 9, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Winneshiek County Extension Office in Decorah. The hands-on program helps farm families understand key estate and succession planning considerations, emphasizing clear communication, goal-setting and preparing for future transitions. Participants will learn how to begin building a farm estate and succession plan and how to use the ISU Estate and Succession Planning Portal to organize and evaluate their information. The workshop is designed to demystify estate planning and present practical options for farm business and family estate plans. Through case studies, interactive worksheets and discussion groups, participants will explore strategies to develop, implement or update their own plans. Topics include wills, trusts, powers of attorney, property ownership, family communication and goal-setting, estate taxes and gifting, building a professional planning team, and navigating transitions that are fair versus equal. Participants will gain a clearer understanding of estate planning documents, how to estimate the size of their estate, what information is needed to create a plan, and how to choose the right professionals to assist in the process. Registration includes a light meal, a free lifetime subscription to the ISU Estate and Succession Planning Portal (a $75 value) and an Estate and Succession Planning workbook (a $10 value). Educational materials are provided by the ISU Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation. Registration is $75 per individual, $125 per couple, or $200 for a family of four. Walk-ins or late registrations may be subject to an additional fee. Participants are encouraged to preregister at least two days before the program by calling the Winneshiek County Extension Office at 563-382-2949 or emailing alliemc@iastate.edu. Get the inside scoop! Subscribe to the free DecorahNews.com newsletter and receive local news, expert analysis, and stories that matter most—straight to your inbox.