Category Archives: Estate Planning

Review and Update Your Estate Plan Now!

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Although not as exciting as some other ag law issues we discuss on this blog, this topic is one of the most important for folks to consider.  I recently wrote an article for Dairy Herd Management discussing this topic.  While creating an estate plan is a very important step, it is not the end of the journey.  It is critical that once an estate plan has been created, it is reviewed and updated periodically.  I recommend that folks review estate plans at least once a year (your birthday… Read More →

February 12, 2016 Weekly Round Up

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I kicked off the week at the Southern Agricultural Economics Association meetings in San Antonio.  Fellow ag lawyers Paul Goeringer, Ashley Ellixon, and I presented on undercover videos and private property rights at the meeting.  We enjoyed some great discussion from attendees about a variety of issues facing agriculture! * Big Data: Big Potential, Big Problems.  Big data has been a hot topic of conversation in agriculture for the last couple of years.  [Read prior Big Data blog series here.]  As we see more and more data collection… Read More →

Just in Time for Valentine’s Day: Do Farm Kids Need a Pre-Nup?

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Valentine’s Day is right around the corner (Sunday for those of you who are now in a panic realizing you have some shopping to do) and I thought that a nice romantic discussion about prenuptial agreements would be a fitting way to celebrate the holiday. Oftentimes, people think of prenups being for rich celebrities with millions of dollars in the bank and marriages that seem destined to fail.  The sad truth, however, is that divorce can strike farm couples just like any other and when that happens, it can… Read More →

February 5, 2016 Weekly Round Up

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Yesterday I enjoyed the chance to attend and present the keynote address at the High Plains Irrigation Conference in Amarillo.  Thanks to Dr. Dana Porter for the invitation and welcome to those of you new to the blog from the conference. It was a rather slow week in the agricultural law realm, but here are a few stories in the news recently. * Oil and Gas Leasing Program Set for College Station.  Shannon Ferrell and I will be putting on a FREE oil and gas leasing workshop in College… Read More →

January 29, 2016 Weekly Round Up

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Happy Friday!  Last week I made the drive to Muncy, Texas for the Caprock Crops Production Conference to chat about hot topics in agricultural law.  There was a great turn out and excellent questions, which always makes a presentation more fun.  Kudos to county extension agents Caitlyn Jackson and Cristen Brooks on a great conference.  To those of you joining the blog, welcome! Here are some ag law stories in the news this week. * Texas database to identify entities with eminent domain power.  Last term, the Texas… Read More →

January 22, 2016 Weekly Round Up

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We’ve survived another week!  This was not a particularly busy week for ag law, with the exception of the WOTUS issue, where the drama moved to the White House and only continues.  Check it out. * US Congress Passes Joint Resolution to Nullify EPA’s New WOTUS Rule, Obama Vetoes.  The House and Senate passed a Joint Resolution stating that the EPA/Corps of Engineers new regulation defining “waters of the United States” “shall have no force or effect.”  This would essentially maintain the status quo regarding the WOTUS definition… Read More →

January 15, 2016 Weekly Round Up

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This week I made the drive to Lubbock to speak at the “Seeking Solutions” extension meeting.  It was a great program and I really enjoyed the opportunity to visit with producers about agricultural law.  To those of you joining the blog from that event, welcome!  Here are some ag law stories in the news this week. * What You Need To Know About Selling Your Oil and Gas Interests.  Texas attorney Aimee Hess recently wrote a great blog post discussing the sale of mineral interests.  She offers some… Read More →

December 11, 2015 Weekly Round Up

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We have reached another Friday!  This week I was on the road to speak at the Swisher County Ag Day on the top legal developments in 2015.  Thanks to John Vialba and Glenda Gibson for all their hard work to put on a great event and for inviting me to participate.  For those of you interested in that topic, stay tuned next week for a blog recapping the year in ag law!  To those of you joining the blog from the Swisher County Ag Day, welcome! Here are… Read More →

August 28, 2015 Weekly Round Up

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Hard to believe we have reached the end of August!  Here are some of the ag law stories in the news this week. * Waters of the United States:  Where Are We Now?  I recently wrote an article for Progressive Cattleman Magazine discussing where things currently stand with the “Waters of the United States” controversy involving the EPA’s new rule defining the scope of the federal Clean Water Act.  To read the article, click here.  Just yesterday, a North Dakota federal judge issued a temporary injunction preventing the… Read More →

August 21, 2015 Weekly Round Up

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Here are some of the ag law related stories in the news this week. * Study Looks at Water Used for Fracking in Eagle Ford Shale.  The Texas Water Journal recently published an interesting article titled “Groundwater use in the Eagle Ford Shale” some policy recommendations.”  The article outlines water use in the Eagle Ford Shale area, focusing specifically on water used for fracking, and offers three policy recommendations the authors believe should be considered, including mandatory reporting for all water uses, providing incentives to lure oil and… Read More →