Episodes

Join Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell and Life’s Third Act researcher, Marlea Parson, as they continue to unravel the complex and tragic story of Georgian and Walker Patterson Inman III, heirs to the vast Doris Duke fortune in Part 2 of this saga. In Part 2 they’ll explore what came to be for the twins after their father’s death, including a custody battle between their biological mother and stepmother, years of therapy, misuse of the trust fund money, and more. Mr. Cordell & Ms. Parson will help to ex...

Join Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell and Life’s Third Act researcher, Marlea Parson, as they unravel the complex and tragic story of Georgia and Walker Patterson Inman III, heirs to the vast Doris Duke fortune. In this episode, explore the challenges of immense wealth, family dysfunction, and the lasting impact on the twins’ lives. From troubled childhoods to legal battles, financial struggles, and attempts at healing, Mr. Cordell and Ms. Parson provide insightful commentary on the Inman twins’ tumult...

Join Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell and Life’s Third Act researcher, Marlea Parson, in a riveting discussion on the life, career, and complex legacy of Sonny Bono. From his humble beginnings in Detroit to his rise as a songwriter and iconic performer alongside Cher, Sonny’s journey unfolds with unexpected twists and turns. Explore Sonny’s ventures into politics, his successful congressional term, and the tragic skiing accident that abruptly ended his life. Unravel the legal intricacies of his estate,...

We’re back with part 2 of our exploration of Casey Kasem’s final years. Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell and Life’s Third Act researcher, Marlea Parson, further discuss the conservatorship battle as Casey’s children sought control over his care, facing obstacles and dramatic events. They tell the story of the nationwide man-hunt for Casey Kasem, detailing how each family member handled this shocking event and divided the family even further apart. This episode dives into the aftermath of Casey Kasem’s...

Explore the story of Casey Kasem’s final years and the ensuing legal battles in this two-part episode with Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell and Life’s Third Act researcher, Marlea Parson. Delve into the family dynamics, starting with Casey’s health challenges and the strained relationship that his children had with his second wife, Jean Kasem. Learn about the legal turmoil triggered by Casey’s declining health and Jean’s controversial decisions, leading to a nationwide manhunt for Casey Kasem and a div...

Explore the life of Leona Helmsley, the renowned hotelier, with Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell and researcher Marlea Parson. In this episode, they delve into the details of Leona’s journey in the real estate industry, her legal challenges, and imprisonment. Together they examine Leona’s management style, leading to her infamous title, and the legal issues, including tax evasion, that impacted her public image. They also discuss the complexities of her Last Will and Testament, featuring notable provis...

Join Joe Cordell, Attorney-CPA, and researcher Marlea Parson in discussing the late, great Philip Seymour Hoffman and his views on trusts and inheritance. Learn about the fascinating life of this acclaimed actor and the unexpected twists in his estate’s distribution. With an estate valued at over $35 million, Hoffman’s legacy was overshadowed by complex legal issues. Explore the consequences of his decision to leave everything to Marianne O’Donnell, the mother of his children, and the challeng...

Dive into the chilling tale of the Menendez Brothers with Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell and researcher Marlea Parson. In 1989, a shocking murder in Beverly Hills captivated the nation. Explore the sordid details of the crime, from an affluent family’s American Dream to a brutal tragedy. Learn how Lyle and Erik Menendez inherited a vast fortune after their parents’ murder but couldn’t claim it due to legal obstacles. Discover the inner workings of the Menendez estate, filled with lavish spending, deb...

Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell and researcher Marlea Parson, explore the story of Princess Diana and her Letter of Wishes in this episode of Life’s Third Act. Together, the pair discuss the life of one of the world’s most iconic figures, Princess Diana, and how her estate was handled upon her untimely passing. Learn about the role of her Last Will and Testament and the critical “Letter of Wishes” within it, which expressed her personal preferences for the distribution of her estate. This episode rev...

Join Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell and researcher Marlea Parson for an in-depth look into the life and legacy of Jimi Hendrix. Despite his legendary career, Hendrix left behind a complex legal situation by not having a will. Discover how intestacy laws placed control of his estate in the hands of his father, Al Hendrix, and the subsequent legal disputes, including contested wills and the management of copyrights and royalties. From lawsuits in the ’90s to ongoing trademark battles, you’ll learn how...

Join Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell and Life’s Third Act researcher, Marlea Parson, as they unravel the legacy of Marlon Brando and the complexities surrounding his will. Brando, celebrated as one of America’s greatest actors, left behind a substantial estate upon his passing in 2004. In this episode, delve into the life of Marlon Brando, marked by marriages, children, and a dedication to social justice. However, it was his end-of-life decisions that fueled legal battles, mental capacity disputes, an...

Join Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell and Life’s Third Act researcher, Marlea Parson, as they delve into the intriguing story of Howard Hughes and his lack of a will. Hughes, one of the wealthiest and most eccentric industrialists of his time, left behind a colossal estate when he passed away in 1976. Despite his immense wealth and influence in various industries, Hughes died intestate, setting the stage for a chaotic legal battle. Over 600 claimants emerged, each vying for a piece of his fortune, lead...

Join Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell and Life’s Third Act researcher, Marlea Parson, as they explore the story of Joe Robbie and his estate planning decisions. In this episode, the pair delve into the consequences of Robbie’s choices on his family and his legacy. Despite his achievements, Robbie’s estate plan fell short for a man of his wealth. As the founder of the Miami Dolphins, he had grand intentions for his family to carry on his legacy. However, when faced with illiquid assets like the football...

Join Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell as he explores a crucial aspect of retirement planning that often goes overlooked – preparing for the decline. In this episode, Mr. Cordell delves into an article written by Karen and Stephen Kreider Yoder. In their real-life experience pair were abruptly reminded that retirement won’t always be about carefree living. Their vacation accident in Tunisia served as a stark wake-up call. In retirement, there are the “go-go” years of adventurous exploration, followed by...

Join Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell and Life’s Third Act researcher, Marlea Parson, as they unravel the story behind Aretha Franklin’s wills. In this episode, they explore the legal journey that began when two handwritten documents were discovered in the iconic singer’s suburban Detroit home. Join Mr. Cordell and Ms. Parson as they dive into the courtroom drama that pitted Aretha Franklin’s sons against each other, with her estate hanging in the balance. They will cover the differences between the 20...

Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell returns this week with Life’s Third Act researcher, Marlea Parson, to revisit the ongoing story of the Elvis Presley Estate. Together they rehash its history, take a look at all of the challenges and hands it’s been passed through, and discuss the current situation of this legendary trust, associated with the iconic King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Passing through the hands of Priscilla Presley, to her daughter Lisa Marie Presley, and finally ending on its current sole trustee, R...

In this episode, Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell provides practical guidance on the complex issue of family heirlooms in estate planning. Join Mr. Cordell as he explores the process of determining heirs, discussing fair distribution, and integrating these valued possessions into your estate plan. Mr. Cordell will share strategies to prevent conflicts and ensure your family’s history is preserved through these treasured items. He offers clear insights into the legal considerations and options available...

Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell is back this week, with a new special guest, Life’s Third Act’s very own researcher, Marlea Parson. Today in their conversation, they dive into an eye-opening topic – the legacy of Heath Ledger and the lessons we can learn from his untimely passing. Join them as they explore the ins and outs of Heath Ledger’s estate plan, uncovering the unforeseen consequences that arose due to overlooking a critical life-changing event: the birth of his daughter. Through this in-depth ...

Join in as Attorney-CPA, Joe Cordell, continues his conversation about costly estate planning mistakes in part 2 of Life’s Third Act. In this episode, we’ll dive deeper into the nuances of estate planning, focusing on practical advice and relatable stories to help you navigate the ins and outs of this crucial process. Discover the dos and don’ts that can make all the difference in protecting your family’s future and legacy. Mr. Cordell shares insights drawn from his experience, shedding light o...

Join us for part 1 of this Life’s Third Act episode, where Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell shares tips to avoid common estate planning mistakes. Discover the do’s and don’ts that will help to protect your family’s future and legacy. Learn about potential downfalls in creating wills, trusts, and other crucial estate planning documents. Mr. Cordell offers insights on minimizing estate taxes, ensuring proper beneficiary designations, and protecting assets from probate costs. Through real-life examples o...

Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell is joined by Laura McCoy, Director of Community Outreach for Home Instead Senior Care, to delve into the company’s mission of delivering compassionate care to individuals within the familiarity of their own homes. Ms. McCoy sheds light on the company’s inception, the wide range of services they offer, the specialized support they provide for those with Alzheimer’s and dementia, and what clients can anticipate during a consultation. The discussion also explores their com...

Join Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell in this insightful episode as we delve into the complexities of estate planning for blended families. Discover how to navigate unique challenges and balance the interests of spouses, children, and stepchildren. Learn the importance of open communication, setting shared goals, and addressing concerns to find common ground during the estate planning process. Explore strategies to safeguard spousal rights, protect children’s financial interests, and plan for contingen...

Special guest Shane O’Mara, Professor of Experimental Brain Research, and Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell are back this week for part 2 of their discussion on the science of walking. Continuing their exploration of Shane’s book, “In Praise of Walking,” they delve even deeper into the remarkable benefits walking offers. In this episode, discover the continued positive impact of walking on our muscles, posture, and overall physical health. Shane uncovers further insights on how walking protects and repa...

Join Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell and special guest Shane O’Mara, Professor of Experimental Brain Research at Trinity College Dublin, on this episode of Life’s Third Act. They delve into Mr. O’Mara’s groundbreaking research and his book, “In Praise of Walking,” which explores the science behind walking and its numerous benefits. Discover how walking positively impacts our muscles, posture, and overall physical health. Mr. O’Mara reveals how walking plays a vital role in protecting and repairing org...