Father and daughter riding through an autumn landscape in Quebec. Farm and ranch families should try to create a sense of shared ownership that goes beyond legal documents, says succession expert Annessa Good-Hassard.

Ranch succession part 2: Preparing for the unexpected

When illness, addiction or dementia strikes, bringing in a team of professionals and remaining compassionate can help the family remain resilient

In the complex world of ranch succession, unexpected yet common realities can disrupt the most meticulously planned transitions. It’s a safe assumption that all of us have known someone affected by mental or physical impairment, such as disease, dementia or addiction. However, when one of these realities occurs on a working family ranch, it can […] Read more

a woman sitting atop a white horse at sunrise

Ranch succession part 1: Sibling dynamics and ‘cousin consortiums’

Transitioning the ranch is complex enough with siblings. How do you do it when cousins are involved?

When it comes to passing the ranch down, the biggest obstacle may not lie between parents and children but rather between siblings. While researching this story, I learned that families are focusing on the next next generation and that “the cousin consortium” refers to a messy web of competing interests and unspoken expectations that can […] Read more