Episodes

Too many people are oblivious to the estate tax. But as an advisor, you’re perfectly positioned to help your clients avoid passing on a tax bill to their heirs. In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, speaks with Scott Steiner of Calamos Wealth Management about what you can do to make your clients aware of the estate tax and avoid sticking their heirs with a bill. They bring this topic to life by exploring the case of the Wrigley family, best known for their chewing-...

What is it about the American tax system that’s compelling people to renounce their U.S. citizenship? Is there a better option for you and your money? In this episode, WealthManagement.com’s senior editor, David Lenok, is joined by David Lesperance, a tax and immigration lawyer who has been helping people save their wealth from the taxman for over 30 years. Together, they explore the case of Yul Brynner, an award-winning film and stage actor who renounced his U.S. citizenship in 1965 for tax rea...

Sponsored By: FS Investments Numerous post-death estate-litigation cases happen across the U.S. every day. How will you help your clients understand their estate planning decisions and ultimately prevent post-death litigation? In this episode, David Lenok, WealthManagement.com’s senior editor, is joined by the attorney who represented Mickey Rooney and his estate in his elder abuse and estate litigations, Vivian Lee Thoreen of Holland & Knight, to discuss how advisors can help clients make effe...

Sponsored By: FS Investments What kind of difference do your clients want to make in the world — and for themselves — with their philanthropy? In this episode, WealthManagement.com’s senior editor, David Lenok, is joined by Bruce DeBoskey, president and founder of The DeBoskey Group. Bruce has dedicated his life to helping others maximize the impact of their philanthropic giving. Together, David and Bruce discuss the legacy of Elizabeth Taylor, one of classical Hollywood cinema’s most beloved st...

Sponsored By: FS Investments There is a special kind of fear that estate planning brings out in many people. As an advisor, how will you help your clients move past this fear enough to do thorough estate planning? In this episode, WealthManagement.com’s senior editor, David Lenok, is joined again by Jacqueline Bevilaqua of Katsky Korins to discuss how advisors can help clients push through their estate-planning fears. Together, they draw from the story of Robert Mugabe, former president of Zimba...

If you had a client with multiple spouses, would you know how to handle their estate planning? In this episode, WealthManagement.com’s senior editor, David Lenok, speaks with Kim Kamin, principal at Gresham Partners, about the success of Jerry Weintraub’s estate plan. Its success is notable given that this Emmy-Award winning producer, talent manager, and actor had lived with a long-term girlfriend while still staying married to his wife. Together, David and Kim discuss Jerry Weintraub’s story, t...

Sponsored By: FS Investments Since not all states treat taxes the same, snowbirds who don’t know the rules might experience great heartache when they receive their tax bill. In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, speaks with tax attorney Daniel Bernard. Together, they discuss John D. Rockefeller, the legendary American industrialist, philanthropist, and founder of the Standard Oil Company. In 1914, he started splitting time between Florida and New York, making the u...

Sponsored By: FS Investments Art collections can be a difficult asset to comprehend. You need to surround yourself with highly qualified and good-intentioned experts to ensure your legacy lives on. In this episode, WealthManagement.com’s senior editor, David Lenok, speaks with Sarah McDaniel, CFA and managing director: head of Wealth Strategies Group and Advance Planning Centers at Morgan Stanley, about the massive art collection left behind after the death of one of the world’s most influential...

Have you created a business that you want to outlast you? Do you know who would take over if something were to happen to you? In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, speaks with Sonya Mughal, COO of Bailard Inc. Together, they explore the estate of Jerry Buss, the legendary owner of the Los Angeles Lakers. Jerry Bus had a succession plan in place to cover his 66% ownership of the team: His six children equally inherited a stake in the business. But as you’ll soon fin...

Sponsored By: FS Investments Living a secret life can be so utterly complicated. Take it from Liberace. As you’ll soon find out, it is essential for LGBT couples to have a prenup or partnership agreement that can unfold if a relationship ends. In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, speaks with Bruce Hoffmeister, a vice president and wealth strategist at Wilmington Trust. Together, they discuss the issues within the estate of Liberace, Mr. Showmanship himself. In thi...

Sponsored by: Nationwide Advisory You can have everything planned out, accounted for, and your family members will still find something to fight over once you are gone. In this episode of Dead Celebrity, by Informa WealthManagement.com, David Lenok and Avi Kestenbaum discuss the estate plan of beloved comedian and Oscar-winning actor Robin Williams. As you’ll soon find out, even the best of estate plans and legal advice can be a recipe for disaster when you have children from different marriages...

The loss of capacity is a very real threat to all clients, particularly those who are getting older. If your client were to show signs of cognitive impairment, would you know how to proceed with their estate planning? In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, speaks with Letha McDowell, a shareholder of Hook Law Center. Together, they explore the controversial estate plan, a product of highly questionable decisions, of legendary actor and Hollywood icon Marlon Brando. ...

Sponsored By: FS Investments When celebrities with trusts pass away, we may never learn the full details of their estates. And that’s largely the point. But the benefits of using a trust don’t stop at privacy. In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, speaks with Geoff Madsen, CEO and chairman of Independent Trust Company. They discuss the benefits of using trusts in your estate planning package, weaving in the examples of Anthony Bourdain, Aretha Franklin and others t...

Sponsored By: FS Investments Do you have co-owned assets, similar to how the three members of Beastie Boys co-own their music? In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, speaks with Jacqueline Bevilaqua, associate at Katsky Korins, about what was done correctly and incorrectly in the estate plan of rapper Adam Yauch ( ⅓ of Beastie Boys). As they examine Adam Yauch’s estate, David and Jacqueline discuss how to delicately manage the challenges that often come with high-ne...

A massive demographic shift is underway for women with money. As an advisor, are you equipped to help women take control of their finances? In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, speaks with Michelle Smith, a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst about women and money. Together, they unpack what advisors can learn from the life of Gloria Vanderbilt, who was a fashion icon, artist, author, actress, heiress, and socialite. Listen in and learn how you can help women take...

When you’re creating or updating your estate planning documents, using clear language takes on a whole new level of importance. Your carefully crafted language can ensure that your wishes leave no room for interpretation. In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, speaks with Megan Gorman, founding partner of Chequers Financial Management. Together, they discuss the estate of Tom Petty, one of rock and roll’s biggest icons, who died from an accidental drug overdose. Up ...

Too many times we allow our emotions to get the better of us, leading us to make unfair or judgmental decisions. Will you use your estate plan to punish your heirs? Or will you choose to resolve issues before it’s too late? In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, speaks with Dr. Stanley Teitelbaum, PsyD. Together, they explore the estate of Joan Crawford, one of old Hollywood’s biggest stars. Up for discussion is Joan Crawford’s decision to deliberately exclude two o...

Have you considered what would happen to your pet if something happened to you? Do you want to ensure that your family friend is taken care of after you’re gone? This episode will open your mind to the options available to you and your pet. In episode three of Dead Celebrity, by Informa WealthManagement.com, David Lenok is joined by Megan Gorman of Chequers Financial Management. They speculate on the unreleased details of world-famous fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld’s estate plan and how he may ...

You can have everything planned out, accounted for, and your family members will still find something to fight over once you are gone. In this episode of Dead Celebrity, by Informa WealthManagement.com, David Lenok and Avi Kestenbaum discuss the estate plan of beloved comedian and Oscar-winning actor Robin Williams. As you’ll soon find out, even the best of estate plans and legal advice can be a recipe for disaster when you have children from different marriages and a surviving spouse. In this e...

Are you that person who thinks, “I don’t need to do that paperwork today. It can wait”? Do you think it’s unnecessary to plan out your final wishes and make sure your estate plan is in order? In this inaugural episode of Dead Celebrity, by Informa WealthManagement.com, we learn lessons from the life and death of celebrity Casey Kasem. Jim Dougherty from Withers Worldwide discusses the pitfalls of not being prepared when you either pass suddenly or become incapacitated. In this episode, you will ...