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Farm succession planning

Planning your farm’s future is about more than protecting your assets. It’s about preserving your legacy and ensuring your family’s financial future. You can do it all with a personalized plan.

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Why you need farm succession planning

Farm estate plans can ensure a smooth transition to your next generation, minimize tax burdens and prevent family disputes.

Keep the farm running and intact

With a plan in place, you can keep the farm running even while you transfer the operations and knowhow to your next generation.

Secure a comfortable retirement

You can feel more comfortable about handing over the reins of your farm and leaving everyone feeling financially secure.

Pass your operation on to your heirs without conflict

Well-documented and communicated succession plans can minimize conflict and ensure a clear understanding of roles.

Minimize taxes, estate fees and transfer costs

Without a succession plan, your farm could go into probate. Or, there could be settlement issues between family members. Both can be time consuming and expensive.

How does farm estate planning work

Farming today is a business. The Income Tax Act provides options to minimize taxation for farmers who want to pass their farm down to the next generation. We can help you make sense of these tax provisions and create a solid plan for the future.

Your Co-operators financial representative will work with your legal and accounting advisors to prepare a farm estate plan that will protect your farm and your family in a fair and tax-efficient way.

We can help you:

  • discuss farm transfer options with your heirs
  • review your will, power of attorney and personal health care directives
  • estimate the government’s share of your estate to give you time to prepare for the future tax liability
  • ensure that children who are actively involved in the farm, and those who are not, receive a fair settlement that reflects their roles and contributions
  • secure a comfortable retirement
  • minimize estate and settlement costs

Succession planning podcast

Succession planning can be complicated and sticky. When do you start discussions with your family? Where do you have these discussions? How do you approach these discussions? Listen to this podcast for answers to some of your most pressing questions.

Check out this AG podcast series about the challenges and opportunities facing farmers.

Free legal assistance helpline

Did you know, if you are a Co-operators farm, home or commercial client, you can call 1-855-953-1431 from 8 a.m. to 12 a.m. ET to speak to a lawyer on almost any topic related to Canadian law.

Get free legal advice

Not sure where to start?

For advice and personalized solutions to fit your needs and budget, connect with a Co-operators financial representative near you.