March 15, 21: Landowner succession planning workshop

By Kate Ryan, WSU Extension

EVERETT, Wash. – Landowners may wish to preserve their family lands and associated businesses but not know how to engage the next generation(s) in the process.

A two-part succession planning workshop using the award-winning Ties to the Land curriculum will be 5-9 p.m. Wednesday, March 15, and Tuesday, March 21, at Washington State University Snohomish County Extension’s Cougar Auditorium, 600 128th St. SE, Everett.

Class size is limited and prepaid registration is required. Cost is $75 per family/ownership and includes a workbook and dinner for two each evening. Meals for additional family members cost $30.

To register, visit http://TiesToTheLand.eventbrite.com. For more information, contact Kate Ryan at 425-357-6022 or kate.ryan@wsu.edu.

Sometimes called the “human side of estate planning,” succession planning is quite different and is a precursor to a traditional estate plan. The focus is on communication, big-picture planning, awareness of different family members’ motivations and tools to address challenges in a positive way.

“Talking about these tough issues as a family is critical, especially when multiple heirs with varying levels of interest in the family business are involved,” said past participant and landowner Don Theoe. “The Ties to the Land workshop and associated materials provide excellent guidance on how to get these conversations going.”

The workshop is a facilitated mix of presentations and practical exercises. Guest speakers will include real estate attorney Dylan LeValley from Adams & Duncan in Everett and Michelle VanDellen, certified public accountant and senior manager from Moss Adams LLP.

Ties to the Land is an award-winning curriculum developed by estate planning experts at Oregon State University Extension and the Austin Family Business Program at OSU. The workshop is sponsored and hosted by WSU Snohomish County Extension, U.S. Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency, Snohomish Conservation District and Moss Adams LLP.

 

News media contacts:
Holly Small, WSU Extension educator, hollynthompson@wsu.edu
Kate Ryan, WSU Snohomish County Extension, 425-357-6024, kate.ryan@wsu.edu