Pathfinder Legacy

When you sell the farm to family at a discount or over time, the paperwork matters more than the handshake. Host Heidi Olsen and attorney Brittany Faust (Neff Law) explain why you should get a real appraisal, file gift tax returns when selling below fair market value, and record/clean up title work so heirs aren't blindsided later. They cover IRS risks (imputed interest/income, penalties), how con...

In this episode of the  Pathfinder Legacy Podcast , host Heidi Olson sits down with attorney Brittany Foust of Neff Law to tackle one of the most complex challenges facing today's farm families — how to transfer land to the next generation without jeopardizing retirement, triggering unnecessary taxes, or losing control. They unpack the differences between a buy-sell agreement and a contract for de...

In this episode of the  Pathfinder Legacy Podcast , Heidi Olson tackles one of the most painful and costly mistakes farm families make—dying without a plan. From real stories of families torn apart by probate battles to simple steps you can take today, Heidi explains why estate planning isn't about death—it's about direction. Learn what happens when you don't have a will, how to protect your land...

In this episode of Pathfinder Legacy, Heidi Olson sits down with Mackenzie Schroeder, who faced the unimaginable—losing both her dad and grandma within one week, neither with a will or estate plan in place. Mackenzie shares her raw experience of stepping up as a personal representative while grieving, the chaos of navigating assets, and the hard lessons she learned along the way. Their conversatio...

In this special mailbag episode of the Pathfinder Legacy Podcast, Heidi Olson tackles real-life scenarios from farm families and business owners. From equalizing heirs to handling sudden debt spikes, Heidi explains what works, what breaks, and how to avoid costly mistakes when it comes to life insurance, trusts, and succession planning. You'll learn how to align your policies with your plan, why l...

Life insurance isn't glamorous—but for farm families, it's the glue that holds everything together when life takes an unexpected turn. In this episode, Heidi Olson breaks down the essentials of policy ownership, beneficiary routing, and the real-world consequences of getting it wrong. Through practical examples and cautionary stories, you'll learn how to ensure life insurance dollars land in the r...

In this special episode of the Pathfinder Legacy podcast, Heidi is joined by Mary Jo Irmen, author of 'Farming Without the Bank,' which shows how farmers and ranchers can utilize the Infinite Banking Concept. Mary Jo is an Authorized IBC Practitioner and has clients in all of the lower 48 states. Tune in as Heidi and Mary Jo discuss cash value financing, real-world policy design, and the need for...

Retirement, succession, and estate planning often fall apart without one critical piece: liquidity. In this episode of the Pathfinder Legacy Podcast, Heidi Olson shares why life insurance is the unsung hero of farm succession. From covering debts and estate costs to keeping acres in the family, life insurance provides the cash families need when they need it most. Heidi walks through real farm sce...

In this episode, Heidi tackles the tough issues surrounding farm and business succession, focusing on a real-life situation from Mike in Eastern South Dakota. At 60, Mike still feels controlled by his 85-year old father despite carrying the farm's financial and operational load. Heidi offers practical advice for others stuck in similar situations, on ownership versus management, acknowledging cont...

In this episode, Heidi explores the critical components of a farm and business succession team, and the importance of vetting each person to make sure their priorities align. Learn about the key roles such as attorneys, accountants, lenders, trust officers, and life insurance agents, and understand the red flags to watch for when selecting your advisors. For guides, checklists, and planning tools...

In today's special episode, Heidi Olson sits down with her daughter, Marv and Ole, who are 5th-generation kids raised on the family farm. They share their unique experiences growing up in a rural community, the valuable skills they've learned, and what it means to be part of a legacy that spans over a hundred years. From showing livestock in 4-H to managing responsibilities on the farm, this episo...

In this episode, Heidi is joined by her husband, Kirk Olson, where they share some stories from their journey along the way. They explore the primary reasons why many farm founders are hesitant, or altogether avoid making plans for succession, and why understanding these top concerns can help in addressing them effectively, ensuring a smoother transition, that alleviates stress and worry for both...

In this episode, Heidi shares some personal experiences growing up on a family ranch, her extensive career in a trust department, and invaluable lessons on succession planning. From stories of miscommunication and family disputes, to moments of reconciliation and understanding, Heidi emphasizes the critical role of clear communication and shared vision in successfully passing on a family farm or b...

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Pathfinder Legacy, hosted by Heidi Olson, a seasoned expert in legacy planning and estate management. In this first episode, Heidi introduces herself and shares some stories from her 30 years of experience, both personal and professional, and emphasizes the importance of proactive planning to avoid family conflicts and secure the future of your farm and business...