Episodes

Jennifer Farber Dulos was a mother of five who disappeared without a trace during a high-stakes divorce. What followed was a $2.5 million legal battle that exposed the unique vulnerabilities of an estate in the midst of a family crisis. Our Marriage, Murder, and Money (MMM) series continues as we begin a deep dive into the tragic story of Fotis Dulos. In this opening installment, we explore how Jennifer’s family used the Probate Court to freeze assets and protect the children even before a body ...

Harold Henthorn thought he had committed the perfect crime on federal land, but the law had other plans. What followed was a legal reckoning that utilized the “Slayer Statute” to ensure his $4.5 million motive would never be realized. In Part 3 of Marriage, Murder & Money, attorney and CPA Joe Cordell breaks down the Henthorn case from the inside — not as a crime story, but as a case study in how estate law responds when federal jurisdiction and the Slayer Statute collide to strip a killer of hi...

Harold Henthorn took his wife Toni on a hike in Rocky Mountain National Park — and came home alone. What followed was a $4.5 million battle that exposed every vulnerability in their estate plan. In Part 2 of Marriage, Murder & Money, attorney and CPA Joe Cordell breaks down the Henthorn case from the inside — not as a crime story, but as a case study in how estate law responds when your spouse becomes your killer. What this episode covers: • How Harold secretly changed the beneficiary on Toni’...

What happens to your estate when your spouse is the one who killed you? This episode examines one of estate law’s darkest questions — and the answer will change how you think about everything you’ve signed. Attorney and CPA Joe Cordell opens a new mini-series exploring what happens to marital assets, life insurance, and inheritance rights when a spouse commits murder. Using the case of Harold and Toni Henthorn — a Colorado man convicted of pushing his wife off a cliff — Joe unpacks how estate pl...

In Part 2 of this Life’s Third Act series, we continue breaking down the Michael Jackson estate and trust, focusing on the real-world conflicts that arise after the plan is in place. This episode explores the growing tension between trustees and beneficiaries, including disputes over spending, investment decisions like the upcoming biopic, and frustrations around communication and transparency. We also unpack how probate delays, IRS battles, and ongoing litigation have impacted distributions to ...

More than 15 years after his death, Michael Jackson’s estate is still making headlines and still tied up in complex legal and financial issues. In Part 1 of this two-part series, Life’s Third Act breaks down how Jackson’s trust was structured, what went right, and what created ongoing complications. Joined by Mellany McDonald, Senior Litigation Attorney at Cordell & Cordell, the discussion uses Jackson’s estate as a real-world case study to explain how trusts actually function over time. From ma...

In this episode of Life’s Third Act, we wrap up our two-part series on Robert Duvall by breaking down how his estate plan actually worked in practice. From trusts and LLCs to intellectual property management and real estate, we walk through the structures he used to protect his wealth, minimize conflict, and carry out his long-term goals. If Part 1 covered what he wanted to accomplish, Part 2 shows how he made it happen—and what you can learn from it when planning your own estate. Call 866-323-...

In this episode of Life’s Third Act, we take a closer look at the life and legacy of Robert Duvall—not just his career, but how he approached the later stages of life and estate planning. With an estimated $70 million estate and no children, Duvall made intentional decisions about privacy, wealth management, and long-term legacy. From living outside Hollywood to structuring his assets through a trust, his approach offers a unique perspective on how to plan for life’s third act. This episode ex...

In Part 2 of our deep dive into Anna Nicole Smith’s estate, we break down how one of the most complex and drawn-out legal battles in recent history finally came to a close. After years of litigation involving the estate of J. Howard Marshall, the case expanded into disputes over paternity, burial rights, and a deeply flawed will that created even more legal chaos. Multiple courts across different states weighed in, and the outcome ultimately came down to technical legal rules rather than the und...

In this episode of Life’s Third Act, John Sauter breaks down the life, death, and legal aftermath of Anna Nicole Smith. From her marriage to Texas billionaire J. Howard Marshall to the probate fight, bankruptcy case, and Supreme Court battle that followed, this story touches nearly every corner of estate law. Part one explores the family dynamics, estate planning decisions, and courtroom conflicts that made this one of the most unusual celebrity estate cases in recent memory. Tune in next week f...

In this episode of Life’s Third Act, Cordell & Cordell Senior Estate Planning Attorney John Sauter takes a look at five more unusual and fascinating estate plans. This is a continuation of a previous episode where we covered five other strange wills, and today John breaks down five more real-world examples, including Gene Roddenberry, Tennessee Williams, Marlon Brando, Aretha Franklin, and Leona Helmsley. Along the way, he highlights what these stories can teach us about estate planning—from no-...

In Part 2 of our discussion on Steve Irwin, we focus on what happened to his estate and conservation mission after his sudden death at age 44. When the face of a business or nonprofit is gone overnight, the real challenge begins. How do you keep operations running? Where does liquidity come from? And is a will alone enough to protect the surviving spouse and children? In this episode of Life’s Third Act, sponsored by Cordell & Cordell, we examine how Steve’s will provided direction, where fundin...

What really happened with Steve Irwin’s estate planning? The internet often suggests his plan fell short, but the full story is more nuanced. In Part 1 of this two-part discussion, Life’s Third Act takes a closer look at the legacy of Steve Irwin and the estate planning lessons business owners and families can learn from his story. While his mission-driven approach to conservation built an extraordinary global brand, it also created real challenges around liquidity, succession, and key-person ri...

In this solo episode of Life’s Third Act, senior estate planning attorney John Sauter breaks down the essentials of a Healthcare Power of Attorney and why it plays a critical role in protecting your wishes if you’re ever unable to speak for yourself. He explains how key documents like a healthcare POA, HIPAA release, and living will work together to guide medical decisions, designate a trusted advocate, and provide clarity during difficult moments. John also shares practical insight on choosing ...

Explore five of the strangest wills on record, from Jeremy Bentham’s “auto-icon” still attending meetings in London to a Portuguese aristocrat who picked beneficiaries straight from the phone book. Attorney CPA Joe Cordell and Senior Estate Planning Attorney John Sauter unpack the real legal lessons behind these odd stories, including what courts will (and will not) enforce, why vague language can spark litigation, and how tools like trusts (including pet trusts) can help balance control with fl...

In this episode of Life’s Third Act, senior estate planning attorney John Sauter breaks down the financial power of attorney and why it matters while you are still alive. Learn what a financial POA is, how a durable POA works, and what can happen if you do not have one in place, including the court process for conservatorships or guardianships. John also covers how to choose the right agent, why backups matter, the difference between immediate and springing powers of attorney, and common real wo...

How do trusts actually work once they’re created? In this episode of Life’s Third Act, we break down how revocable trusts function in real life, what it means to fund a trust, how assets are managed while you’re alive, and what happens if something is left outside the trust. We also address common misconceptions about cost, complexity, and who trusts are really for, helping you understand whether a trust makes sense for your estate plan. Call 866-323-7529 or visit https://cordellcordell.com/pra...

In this episode of Life’s Third Act, we take a closer look at how Diane Keaton built her career, managed her wealth, and thoughtfully planned her estate. From understanding residual income and long-term royalties to strategic real estate investments and the use of trusts, her story offers practical lessons on how successful planning happens over time. Rather than focusing on mistakes, this episode highlights a positive example of disciplined decision-making, showing how careful planning can pro...

This week on Life’s Third Act, Joe Cordell and Cordell & Cordell estate planning attorney John Sauter continue their conversation answering commonly searched estate planning questions, picking up where last week left off. In this second half of the discussion, they focus on wills, probate, and why a will alone only takes effect at death. Joe and John walk through what actually happens during probate, including court oversight, creditor claims, delays, and costs, and explain how titled property d...

This week on Life’s Third Act, Joe Cordell kicks off a new series answering the most commonly searched estate planning questions on YouTube, joined by Cordell & Cordell estate planning attorney John Sauter. In part one, they start with a big one: the difference between a will and a trust. John breaks a trust down in plain English as “a box with instructions on the lid,” explains the roles of settlor, trustee, and beneficiary, and why choosing the right successor trustee matters. They also cover ...

In Part 2 of our Ozzy Osbourne series, we shift from the headline moments of his career to the decisions that shaped his legacy. We discuss the family groundwork Ozzy built over time, why communication and consensus matter in estate planning, and how the Osbournes reportedly structured goals like keeping wealth and control in the family, protecting Ozzy’s name, image, and likeness, and providing multi-generational income. Along the way, we break down why an irrevocable trust can support asset pr...

Ozzy Osbourne lived a life defined by extremes: early fame, public collapse, and an improbable comeback that lasted decades. In Part 1 of this two-part episode of Life’s Third Act, we focus on Ozzy’s career, personal struggles, and the forces that helped stabilize his life, including the pivotal role Sharon Osbourne played in his resurgence. This conversation sets the foundation for understanding how Ozzy reached his third act. In Part 2, we will examine his death, his estate planning, and the d...

In part two of our Bruce Lee conversation, Joe and Sherry pick up the story at the moment of Bruce Lee’s death and follow what happened to his assets, his image, and his legacy over the next several decades. They walk through how his widow Linda and daughter Shannon managed his name, image, likeness, and movie-related rights, how the estate grew into a powerful brand, and what went right (and wrong) from an estate-planning perspective. Along the way, they touch on Brandon Lee’s tragic death, the...

Call 866-323-7529 or visit https://cordellcordell.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/ to schedule an estate planning consultation. For a limited time, mention LIFE’S THIRD ACT for 15% off eligible estate planning services! Bruce Lee changed cinema and martial arts forever, but his real story as a husband, father, and young star building a global legacy is even more compelling. In this 200th episode of Life’s Third Act, Joe Cordell and Sherry Farmer look at Bruce Lee’s life before the legend an...