Minnesota has long authorized police departments and similar agencies to seize property associated with certain crimes and, under proceedings known as “civil forfeiture,” assume ownership of the property. In the past, criminal property seizures have caused problems for secured creditors who have a properly perfected security interest in vehicles or other equipment that is seized...

Now that Spring has sprung, contractors and subcontractors, suppliers, and other construction professionals will likely be seeing a seasonal upswing in demand for private real estate improvements and projects. Along with more work, however, comes the need to secure payment for your hard-spent labor, services, materials, or equipment provided in the course of your projects....

Financing loans are commonly secured by automobiles, boats, and recreational vehicles which serve as an effective source of security in the event of a default. So long as the vehicle is able to be located and in good condition, it can typically be easily repossessed and sold in order to pay off the loan, even...

Here’s a common story: Farmer A gets a good deal on a neighboring farm that includes 16 acres of marginal hay ground in a low, wet area. Farmer A has no use for hay and no haying equipment. It’s been a dry spring with forecasts of drought and high hay prices. Neighbor B is a...

Agricultural producers are no strangers to risk. They grow, buy, and sell commodities in a global economy subject to the unpredictability of floods, droughts, and trades disputes, the whims of governments and politicians, and the devastations caused by pandemics and disease. Many if not most producers develop and employ hedging strategies in an attempt to...

In November 2018, California voters passed Proposition 12. This ballot initiative was pushed by animal rights extremists and seeks to regulate the production of pork, eggs, and veal throughout the United States (and beyond). This law has been subject to multiple court challenges over the last year. But these legal challenges have (so far) been...

Farming isn’t just a business, it’s a commitment to family values and a different way of life. You work hard to feed your family and others, raise your children, and earn a reasonable living at the same time. And if you’re reading this article, chances are that you’re a farmer and you know this better...