Stuck Between “They’ll Get Along” & “Let ’em Fight it Out”

By: Mark McLaughlin

My parents are in their 70s and own 1,200 acres. I have two off-farm siblings. Every time I talk about farm succession, Mom says, “I’m sure everyone will just get along.” Dad jokes, “Just let ’em fight it out!” Dad suffered a heart attack last spring, and we’re not laughing anymore. Our livelihood and our child’s future are at stake. Land is around $14,000 per acre. For me, payments over $400 per acre are risky long term, $500 crushes all profit, and $600 requires major subsidization. I’m worried. How do I get them to stop being complacent?

I’m sorry about your dad’s health, C.A. I hope he’s recovering well. I’ve seen many farm heirs express the same frustration. Some parents fail to plan because they don’t know their options or who to trust. Some struggle when facing their own mortality or confronting tough decisions. Most simply struggle to articulate their wishes and fear unintentionally upsetting someone. They’re scared to do the wrong thing, so they do nothing, which is exactly the wrong thing!