Agricultural Economics Department
Date of this Version
7-29-2024
Document Type
Article
Citation
Groskopf, J., Aiken, J.D. “Terminating a Verbal Farmland Lease in Nebraska.” CAP Series 24-0704, Center for Agricultural Profitability, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, July 29, 2024. DOI: 10.32873/unl.dc.cap042.
Abstract
Some farm leases are not written but are verbal or "handshake" agreements. Because nothing is in writing, the parties may have different recollections of their agreement, making lease disputes more difficult to resolve. The most common legal issue associated with verbal farm leases is how a lease may legally be terminated. For verbal leases in Nebraska, six months advance notice must be given to legally terminate the lease. In contrast, the termination of a written lease is determined by the terms of the written lease. If the lease does not address termination, the lease automatically terminates on the last day of the lease.