Celebrity Estates: Wills of the Rich and Famous

In this episode of Celebrity Estates, host David Lenok welcomes Ian Freeman, founder of The Freeman Group and a Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Advisor, for a conversation inspired by the estate of legendary boxer and entrepreneur George Foreman.  From naming all five of his sons “George Edward Foreman” to building a $300 million fortune, David and Ian explore how identity, family dynamics and unspoken expectations shape legacy. Ian offers practical insight into the emotional side of wealth transfer and how advisors can foster deeper, more meaningful planning conversations. Ian discusses: George Foreman’s estate strategy and the symbolic power of naming all his sons after himself The emotional and psychological layers of wealth transfer, especially in multi-generational families The importance of flexibility and open dialogue in estate and legacy planning Common communication gaps and how silence can fracture family trust How philanthropic goals can engage future generations and reflect authentic values Resources: Listen to Celebrity Estates on WealthManagement.com Subscribe and listen to Celebrity Estates on Apple Podcasts Subscribe and listen to Celebrity Estates on Spotify Trust and Estates Magazine SS&C Black Diamond Trust Services Connect With David Lenok: david.lenok@informa.com  WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: David Lenok LinkedIn: Informa LinkedIn: WealthManagement Connect With Ian Freeman: Website: The Freeman Group – Northwestern Mutual LinkedIn: Northwestern Mutual LinkedIn: Ian Freeman Email: ian.freeman@nm.com  About Our Guest: Ian Freeman is a nationally and internationally recognized financial representative with a career rooted in purpose, resilience, and service. A graduate of Wesleyan University, where he studied government, history, economics, and philosophy, Ian began his professional journey in banking and investment banking before launching his insurance career in 1987, with just a $5,000 loan, heavy debt, and a leap of faith. Since then, he has helped enrich the lives of more than 4,500 individuals, families, and businesses by writing over $2 billion in death benefits. Ian ranks among the top 40 in career production at Northwestern Mutual and is one of only two representatives in the company’s history to qualify for both the Northwestern Mutual Forum and Lives Leader Summit every single year since their inception. A Life Member of the Million Dollar Round Table and past president of the Northwestern Mutual Financial Representatives Association, Ian has served on numerous committees and continues to mentor more than 1,000 financial professionals, with a longstanding commitment to multicultural engagement. Holding CLU®, ChFC®, CASL®, and AEP® designations, Ian is known for blending deep industry knowledge with authentic client relationships. His practice was honored in the 2005 Northwestern Mutual Annual Report, a recognition he attributes not just to accomplishments, but to character. A passionate speaker and educator, Ian travels the country sharing insights on insurance fundamentals and the true impact of financial guidance. Outside of work, Ian enjoys golfing, reading, playing guitar, staying active, and spending time with his beloved Golden Retrievers. For Ian, being a traditional representative isn’t about doing things the old way; it’s about doing them the right way, with heart.

In this engaging discussion, Oliver Pursche, a senior vice president at Wealthspire Advisors with over 25 years in the field, illuminates the intricate estate planning surrounding Leonard Lauder's art collection. They delve into the emotional psychology behind collecting and how different valuation methods influence tax and succession strategies. Oliver shares insights on handling heirs with diverse interests in inherited collections and emphasizes the advisor's role in navigating family dynamics. Expert collaboration and personal client engagement strategies are also key highlights.

Victoria Gray, Deputy Chairman at Bonhams and an expert in celebrity estate auctions, shares her fascinating insights into the auction world. She reveals why everyday celebrity artifacts garner significant value and the emotional connection buyers have with these items. Victoria discusses the importance of storytelling and authentic photography in attracting bidders, and how generational shifts are changing auction dynamics. Additionally, she explores appraisal strategies for estate items and the impact of celebrity optics on auction outcomes. A captivating blend of fame, legacy, and financial acumen!

George Stefanou, a wealth advisor and author of 'Two-Comma Wealth,' delves into the unique challenges faced by first-generation millionaires. He discusses the emotional aspects of estate planning and the importance of family discussions to foster cohesion. George highlights how heirs can avoid the pitfalls of a 'windfall mentality' and emphasizes the role of advisors in bridging gaps between financial literacy and family governance. They also explore the significance of storytelling in passing down family values, ensuring a harmonious legacy.

When Bob Marley passed away in 1981, he left behind a musical legacy, but no estate plan. Due to his religious beliefs, Marley didn’t create a will, and what followed was a legal firestorm: forged documents, disputed signatures and a tangled web of allegations involving his wife, attorney and accountant. In this episode, David Lenok is joined by Noah Rosenfarb, CPA, founder of Wealthrive, to explore what happens when traditional estate planning tools, like wills, are off the table. Noah discusses: The vital differences between wills and trusts  Strategies like the Spousal Lifetime Access Trust  Navigating estate versus revocable trusts  The misunderstood role of communication in wealth preservation Overcoming familial challenges in estate planning  And more Resources: Listen to the latest episodes of Celebrity Estates Trust and Estates Magazine Connect With David Lenok: david.lenok@informa.com  WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: David Lenok LinkedIn: Informa LinkedIn: WealthManagement Connect With Noah Rosenfarb: connect@wealthrive.com Talkabouttax.com  LinkedIn: Noah Rosenfarb, CPA LinkedIn: Wealthrive Inc. (855) 540-0400 About Our Guest: Noah Rosenfarb is a third-generation CPA who learned early in life that becoming tax-efficient could accelerate the journey toward achieving financial goals. After attaining financial independence and stepping away from operating businesses, Noah began sharing his expertise with members of EO and YPO. The response was immediate—people started asking him for help. Determined not to return to a traditional job, Noah assembled a team of accountants, lawyers, and financial planners. He personally trained them in the strategies he used to become Rich Beyond Money. One of his proudest accomplishments is knowing that entrepreneurs working with his team achieve better results than he could have delivered alone. Noah openly shares the tools, resources, and strategies that created his own version of true freedom. With a track record that includes selling eight companies, taking one public, and completing more than 50 real estate investments valued near $1 billion, he brings more than technical expertise—he brings lived experience. He serves high-performing families who seek to balance qualitative life goals with quantitative financial strategies. Based in Parkland, Florida, Noah lives with his wife, Amanda, and their two children. A passionate traveler, he’s visited over 70 countries across five continents.

After four decades of acting and winning multiple awards, Gene Hackman was found dead in his home at the age of 95, along with his wife and primary caretaker, Betsy Arakawa. Forensics uncovered that his wife predeceased him, leaving him to struggle with Alzheimer’s alone before passing away one week later. Join WealthManagement.com Senior Editor David Lenok, and Jackie Bevilaqua a partner at Warshaw Burstein, as they delve into the tragic and unexpected circumstances of Hackman’s final days, exploring pressing questions about elder care, cognitive decline and how to safeguard clients against unforeseen complications. They discuss: Challenges in estate planning for cognitively impaired clients  The importance of ongoing revision and understanding of estate plans  How societal shifts impact elder care and estate planning The significance of community support systems in elder law Legal nuances of simultaneous deaths and the implications for estates Resources: Listen to the latest episodes of Celebrity Estates Trust and Estates Magazine Connect With David Lenok: david.lenok@informa.com  WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: David Lenok LinkedIn: Informa LinkedIn: WealthManagement Connect With Jacqueline Bevilaqua: LinkedIn: Jacqueline Bevilaqua Warshaw Burstein About Our Guest: Mrs. Bevilaqua has focused her practice on trusts and estates law since 2013. She has a strong background in estate planning and estate and trust administration for a diverse clientele, particularly complex issues of gift, estate and trust taxation. She also has significant experience in international estate planning, foreign account tax act compliance, and pre-immigration tax planning. In addition, Ms. Bevilaqua is well-versed in counseling nonprofit corporations on regulatory, governance and federal and state tax compliance matters.

With Donald Trump appearing at his recent inauguration flanked by tech billionaires, the connection between presidents and the almighty dollar is more apparent than ever. However, Trump is not the only president with an interesting relationship with money. In this episode of the Celebrity Estates podcast, host David Lenok welcomes back Megan Gorman, a wealth and tax planning expert and founding partner at Chequers Financial Management, to discuss her new book, All the President’s Money: How the Men Who Governed America Governed Their Money. Listen as they delve into U.S. presidents’ financial decisions and estate planning strategies, uncovering common challenges such as procrastination and poor communication with heirs. Through historical examples, Megan and David emphasize the importance of clear estate planning, communication with heirs and considering the legacy one’s financial decisions leave behind. The discussion underscores how estate planning lessons from historical figures can be applied to modern financial planning, making it a compelling episode for advisors and individuals alike. Key insights include: Insights into Harry Truman’s “letter of wishes”  The surprising financial savvy of Warren G. Harding How George Washington’s estate plan unintentionally endangered Martha Abraham Lincoln’s lack of an estate plan despite his legal background And more Resources: Listen to the latest episodes of Celebrity Estates Trust and Estates Magazine Celebrity Estates Podcast: Britney Spears’ Conservatorship Philip Seymour Hoffman – Don’t Delay When It Comes To Your Estate Plan – With Megan Gorman Tom Petty’s Children and a Second Marriage — With Returning Guest Megan Gorman Connect With David Lenok: david.lenok@informa.com  WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: David Lenok LinkedIn: Informa LinkedIn: WealthManagement Connect With Megan Gorman: LinkedIn: Megan Gorman  LinkedIn: Chequers Financial Management Chequers Financial Management About Our Guest: Megan is the founding partner of Chequers Financial Management, a fee-only planning firm that specializes in high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth families in San Francisco, California. Megan heads the firm’s family office services practice. As well, Megan is a Senior Contributor for Forbes in personal finance and tax. She is also quoted regularly in the press as a tax and financial planning expert including such publications as The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post. She blogs at TheWealthIntersection.com, has appeared on numerous podcasts, and is a regular weekly commentator on The Money Tree Podcast.

Alma Soongi-Beck, a Counsel at Lothrop GPM specializing in the Land Back movement, and Professor Jo Carrillo, a law professor with expertise in Indigenous property law, delve into the complexities of Jim Thorpe's burial controversy. They discuss the intersection of legal rights and personal wishes, especially regarding land repatriation. The duo also explores land transfers' nuances, conservation impacts, and the rising trend of testamentary gifts, highlighting the importance of respectful communication in fostering Indigenous sovereignty and identity.

Neil Solares, a seasoned estate planning attorney, joins to discuss the troubling case of John Amos, famed for his roles in 'Good Times' and 'The West Wing'. The conversation highlights alarming signs of elder abuse, such as isolation and sudden estate changes. Solares stresses the importance of advisors recognizing these red flags and knowing when to pursue conservatorship. They also delve into how caregiver laws in California can impact estate decisions, and why family dynamics often lead to conflicts over caregiving.

In this engaging discussion, expert Shawn Goheen, a partner at Goheen Companies with over 30 years in the life insurance industry, addresses the poignant story of actress Shannen Doherty, who finalized her divorce just before her passing. The conversation underscores the vital need for timely estate planning and how it influences asset distribution. Goheen emphasizes the importance of integrating foundational documents and life insurance into estate strategies while fostering open dialogues among advisors to ensure cohesive planning for future generations.