Episodes

Today, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, is joined by Damien Martin, tax partner at BKD CPAs and Advisors. This episode focuses on the father of rock ‘n roll, Chuck Berry, the legendary musician who worked up into his 80’s, amassing a sizable estate upon his death in 2017 at the age of 90, despite his conviction of tax evasion in 1979. Berry was convicted of $110,000 in back taxes, and was sentenced to serve 4 months in jail and 1000 hours of community service. David and Damien...

David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, is joined by Dr. Denise Federer, speaker, consultant, coach, psychologist, author, and founder of the Federer Performance Management Group (FPMG) as they discuss the impact of families not having those difficult conversations about their money and wealth. This episode focuses on an icon from Hollywood’s Golden Age, the legendary Audrey Hepburn. When Audrey passed in 1993, she left behind 2 sons – step brothers. As part of the estate, the two st...

In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, is joined by Christopher Melcher, partner at Walzer Melcher LLP where they focus on complex family law litigation and premarital agreements of high net worth individuals. Today’s celebrity example is Jack Cassidy; an American actor and singer known for his works in theatre, tv and film. Having married and divorced twice and fathering children in both marriages, most notable being David and Shaun Cassidy, Jack’s estate plan was ...

In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, is joined once again by Megan Gorman, founding partner of Chequers Financial Management. Today’s celebrity example is Philip Seymour Hoffman, American actor, director and producer, and father of three children with longtime girlfriend, Mimi. At the time of his death, Philip Seymour Hoffman’s only estate documentation was a will drafted by his real estate lawyer/CPA (not someone specializing in estate planning) and it mentions a...

In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, speaks with Brian Weiner, Founder and Managing Partner of Audent Family Wealth Advisors. As managing partner, Brian leads the family offices service program, CIO Platform and next generation education program. This episode focuses on world famous singer/songwriter, dancer, and the king of pop himself Michael Jackson. At his untimely death, his estate was left mainly to his children via pour-over trusts that also came with a deb...

Today, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, is joined by Amanda Koplin, LPC, a mental health entrepreneur who is the founder and CEO of Koplin Consulting. This episode focuses on legendary comedic actor Robin Williams’ tragic suicide and the shocking, unspoken truth about male suicide statistics. Notably, the victims –– namely middle-aged white men –– are a common client profile for many advisors. David and Amanda delve into how advisors can help their clients by paying attention ...

In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, is joined by James Bertles, managing director at Tiedemann Advisors and head of the firm’s Palm Beach office. Today’s celebrity example is Tom Carvel, the creator of soft serve ice cream and one of the founding fathers of the franchise system in America. Thinking he was covering all his bases, Tom Carvel of Carvel Ice Cream appointed no fewer than seven executors to manage his estate upon his death. Unfortunately, having so man...

In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, speaks with returning guest Megan Gorman of Chequers Financial Management. The celebrity examples in this episode are Ric Ocasek and his third wife, Paulina Porizkova. Ric Ocasek was an American musician who was most well known as the co-lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and songwriter for the rock band the Cars. Paulina Porizkova is a Czech-born model, actress, and author. Ric Ocasek was married three times, had two sons with e...

In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, is joined again by Vivian Lee Thoreen of Holland & Knight. The celebrity example in this episode is Richard Pryor, an American actor, writer, and one of the most influential standup comedians of all time. Richard was married five times and fathered seven children from six women. He was open about his personal demons with drugs and alcohol and, on top of all this, Richard had multiple sclerosis. All of these factors swirled into...

In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, is joined again by Jacqueline Bevilaqua, a tax, trust and estates associate at Katzy Korins. The celebrity example in this episode is actor Chadwick Boseman, who was best known for portraying heroes, specifically Black heroes, in films, such as “42,” “Get On Up,” “Marshall,” and, of course, the blockbuster superhero film “Black Panther.” Drawing inspiration from Chadwick’s story, David and Jacqueline talk about estate planning ...

In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, is joined again by Megan Gorman, founder of Chequers Financial Management, to discuss the perfection that was Luke Perry’s estate and funeral plan. American actor and teen idol, Luke Perry, was best known as “bad boy” Dylan Mckay on the TV series Beverly Hills, 90210. When you hear about Luke’s funeral instructions –– including his desire to be buried in a biodegradable mushroom suit –– it will become clear that he was a deep t...

When you realize your client is living beyond their means and creating nothing but headaches for the executor of their estate, how can you help? In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, speaks with Mark Brandenburg, an attorney who focuses on estate planning, estate administration, and probate law. The celebrity example of today’s episode is Sammy Davis Jr., who was arguably the most famous Black entertainer of the 20th century. Together, David and Mark discuss Sammy ...

Are your clients charitably inclined, but also want to provide for their heirs? There may be a way to do both, while saving on taxes. In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, talks to Carl Fiore, a managing director in the Andersen U.S. National Tax office, about how wealthy people are saving their heirs from hefty taxes through the use of charitable lead annuity trusts (CLATs) and grantor retained annuity trusts (GRATs). Former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (...

You work hard for your money, so don’t let the government take it all when you die. This is exactly what happened to one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century, Elvis Presley. In this episode, David Lenok speaks with Paige Goepfert of Andersen Global to explore the financial mishaps of the late and great Elvis Presley. Through the American singer’s story, David and Paige highlight key takeaway lessons that can help you better prepare your finances for your death. In this epis...

Most people believe their marriages will last forever. But whether their marriage endures or ends, it’s in your clients’ best interests to have a prenuptial agreement –– especially if the split isn’t amicable In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, talks with Aviva Pinto, a managing director at Wealthspire Advisors. This episode is inspired by American singer-songwriter Kenny Rogers, who was famously married five times and had five children with four different partne...

Are your clients thinking about investing in wine? Wine is a true portfolio diversifier, but there are a few things your clients should know first. In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, talks to Tom Gearing, CEO and co-founder of Cult Wines Limited, about investing in wine. This topic is inspired by golf pro and entrepreneur Arnold Palmer, one of the first major celebrities to lend his name to a wine label. Arnold Palmer’s wine was widely accessible to the common w...

Collectibles have different values depending on who collected them, who owns them, and who wants them. In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, talks again with Sarah McDaniel, a CFA and managing director who heads the Wealth Strategies Group and Advanced Planning Centers at Morgan Stanley. Together, they discuss estate planning for collectibles. David and Sarah explore the case of actor Billie Lourd, who not only inherited a bulk of her late mother Carrie Fisher’s an...

The millennial generation is simultaneously the most talked about, sought after, and yet curiously underserved demographic in the financial planning industry. In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, is joined by Douglas Boneparth, founder of Bone Fide Wealth. They discuss how today’s financial advisors can appeal to millennials –– and why bringing in younger clients is a worthwhile pursuit. This topic is inspired by Amy Winehouse, a Grammy-award winning singer-songwr...

Only one-third of family businesses make it to the next generation. What are you doing today to help your family business last? In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, has the pleasure of speaking with Mitzi Perdue, a businesswoman, author, and professional public speaker. Mitzi is also the daughter of Sheraton Hotel’s co-founders and wife to the late Chicken icon Frank Perdue. Now, Mitzi shares advice on how to develop a family culture that supports keeping the busi...

Your clients’ beneficiaries will have a lot of unintended expenses if your clients don’t take the right estate-planning steps –– especially if the plan is nonexistent. In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, speaks with returning guest Megan Gorman of Chequers Financial Management about what happens to an estate when there is no plan in place. Using the ongoing legal battles around musician Prince’s estate as an example, they dive into the importance of having a plan...

It’s surprisingly easy to have estate planning documents and wills modified or overturned. Can your clients be assured that their estate planning documents will be enforced after they’re gone? In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, speaks with three-time guest, Jacqueline Bevilaqua, an associate at Katsky Korins, about what can happen to a trust and the client’s wishes after their death. The celebrity example in this episode is American businessman Albert C. Barnes,...

Are you willing to let your children take the reigns of the family business? Giving your children the space to try and make their own mistakes as they learn will help you identify who is ready to take on the family business. In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, speaks with returning guest Amy Castoro, president and CEO of The Williams Group, about what advisors can do to help high-net-worth parents to prepare their children to inherit wealth. David and Amy discuss...

Whether you know it or not, you have digital assets, your email, your photos, all your social media accounts. Those are your digital assets. What happens to those accounts when you die? In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, is talking with Karin Prangley, Senior Vice President Private Wealth Management at Brown Brothers Harriman. The two dive deep into the topic of digital assets and estate planning loosely using the estate of Technology Legend Steve Jobs. In this ...

Sponsored By: FS Investments No parent wants their children to be worse off because of the wealth they inherit. As an advisor, what can you do to help parents equip their children for wealth and snuff out a sense of entitlement –– or affluenza –– that could derail them in the future? In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, speaks with Amy Castoro, president and CEO of The Williams Group, about what advisors can do to help high-net-worth parents to prepare their child...