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2025 Estate Planning Survey
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1.
How old are you?
(Required.)
Under 18
18-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65+
*
2.
What is your gender?
(Required.)
Male
Female
Prefer not to say
*
3.
What state do you reside in?
(Required.)
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia (DC)
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
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4.
What is your marital status?
(Required.)
Married
Widowed and unmarried
Divorced and unmarried
Never married
*
5.
How many children do you have?
(Required.)
0
1
2
3
4
5
6+
6.
What is your role in the agricultural industry?
Farmer Landowner
Tenant Farmer
Agri-Business Owner (non-farm entity)
Employee of a non-farm Agri-Business
Employee of a farm
Extension Program or Research
Other (please specify)
*
7.
Do you have an estate plan? Select all that apply.
(Required.)
Last Will and Testament
Last Will and Testament with Testamentary Trusts
Trust
Power of Attorney for Property
Power of Attorney for Healthcare (Health Care Proxy)
HIPPA Release
Living Will or Do Not Resuscitate (DNR)
Revocable Living Trust
Irrevocable Trust
Gun Trust
Burial Directive
Remembrance of Services (Funeral Directives)
Not Sure
8.
Does your estate plan include charitable donations?
Yes
No
Unsure
Not applicable
9.
Is estate tax planning a priority?
Yes
No
Unsure
10.
Is the value of your estate greater than the estate tax exemption in your state?
Yes
No
Unsure
11.
Is the value of your estate greater than the federal estate tax limit (2026 limits: $15 million per individual, $30 million per married couple)
Yes
No
Unsure
*
12.
Have you ever retained an estate planning attorney?
(Required.)
Yes
No
13.
How did you find your estate planning attorney?
Internet search
Local attorney
Referral from agricultural organization
Referral from state bar association
Referral from friend or family
Attorney is friend or family
I have never retained an estate planning attorney
Other (please specify)
14.
What are your priorities when choosing an estate planning attorney?
Proximity / Location
Knowledge of production agriculture
Budget friendly
Customer Service
Willingness to travel
Personal Relationship
Trust
Other (please specify)
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15.
Have you ever formed an estate plan without the help of an attorney?
(Required.)
Yes
No
Unsure
*
16.
How many times have you revised your estate plan?
(Required.)
I have never revised my original estate plan
One time
Two times
Three times
Four times
Five or more times
I do not have an estate plan
*
17.
When was the last time you reviewed your estate plan to confirm the accuracy of beneficiaries?
(Required.)
Never
Within the last year
Within the last five years
More than five years ago
Not applicable
*
18.
When was the last time you reviewed your other endowments to confirm the accuracy of beneficiaries? (Ex. retirement accounts, investment accounts, life insurance, etc.)
(Required.)
Never
Within the last year
Within the last five years
More than five years ago
Not applicable
*
19.
Do you believe that your immediate family has open communication about estate planning?
(Required.)
Yes
No
Somewhat
Unsure
*
20.
For those involved in an extended family agricultural enterprise: do you believe that all family members involved in the enterprise have open communication about estate planning?
(Required.)
Yes
No
Somewhat
Unsure
Not applicable
*
21.
What is a realistic budget for an estate plan for you?
(Required.)
$4,000 or less
$5,000 to $8,000
$9,000 to $12,000
$13,000 to $16,000
$16,000 to $25,000
Greater than $25,000
Unsure
22.
What are the largest contributing factors preventing you from creating or updating your estate plan? Select up to 3.
Not applicable
Finances
Time
Do not have a trusted attorney
Ongoing family dispute
Fear of instigating a family dispute
Fear of considering death
Unsure of beneficiaries
Do not believe you have enough assets to need an estate plan
Other (please specify)
23.
What are your top 3 goals with your estate and succession plan?
Keeping land and assets in the family
Preventing some family from owning land and/or assets
Ensuring family legacy
Keeping taxes to a minimum
Continued control from the grave
Protecting the size and scope of the family farm
Keeping the family farm as agricultural use
Other (please specify)
*
24.
Do you have a business entity? Select all that apply.
(Required.)
Yes, I am a sole proprietor
Yes, I have a general partnership
Yes, I have a limited partnership (LP)
Yes, I have a limited liability company (LLC)
Yes, I have a corporation
I have a business entity but do not know the structure
I do not have a business entity
Other (please specify)
25.
If you have a business entity: do you have a DBA (fictious name, trade name, etc.)?
Yes
No
Unsure
*
26.
Do you have life insurance? Select all that apply.
(Required.)
Yes, I have whole life insurance
Yes, I have term life insurance
Yes, I have life insurance but do not know what kind
No, I do not have life insurance
27.
If you have life insurance, is the amount enough to pay off all debt on the farm or agri-business?
Yes
No
Unsure
28.
If you have life insurance, is the amount enough to pay off all personal debt?
Yes
No
Unsure
29.
When was the last time you reviewed your life insurance policy?
Never
Less than a year ago
Less than five years ago
More than five years ago
Not applicable
*
30.
Do you have or have you ever had a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement?
(Required.)
Yes
No
I have never been married
*
31.
Do you have a child who has or has ever had a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement?
(Required.)
Yes
No
Unsure
I have no married children
32.
If you have a farm or agri-business, do you have a succession plan on transferring the knowledge and management skills to the next generation?
Yes
No
Unsure
I do not have anyone in the next generation to take over
Not applicable
33.
Have you identified an heir to take over the farm or agri-business?
Yes
No
Unsure
I do not have anyone in the next generation to take over
Not applicable
34.
What has been your biggest challenge in determining an heir to take over the farm or agri-business?
35.
Can you describe what has made past estate planning discussions with your family successful?
36.
If you are interested in receiving information about estate planning, please provide your email.