

Celebrity Estates: Wills of the Rich and Famous
WealthManagement.Com
Welcome to the Celebrity Estates podcast. In this podcast we break down high profile celebrity estate planning cases for advisors and their clients. Most celebrity estate catastrophes are based on the same issues that everyday people face, just with the volume turned up. Our goal is to identify and extract the individual estate planning issues that lie at the heart of each story. We then discuss what advisors should expect and how to avoid common pitfalls.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 2, 2019 • 28min
Dead Celebrity Ep 13 – Picasso: The Taxman Cometh — With Sarah McDaniel, CFA
 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 …  Read More  Read More 

Nov 18, 2019 • 20min
Dead Celebrity – Ep 12 – Jerry Buss: Make Succession Planning a Slam Dunk — With Sonya Mughal
 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 …  Read More  Read More 

Nov 4, 2019 • 24min
Dead Celebrity Ep 11 – Liberace: Planning for LGBTQ Clients — With Bruce Hoffmeister
 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, …  Read More  Read More 

Oct 31, 2019 • 21min
Dead Celebrity Ep 10 – Robin Williams Planned It Right — With Guest Avi Kestenbaum
 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 …  Read More  Read More 

Oct 21, 2019 • 25min
Dead Celebrity Ep 9 – Marlon Brando: Loss of Capacity
 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 …  Read More  Read More 

Oct 7, 2019 • 28min
Dead Celebrity Ep 8 – Anthony Bourdain, Aretha Franklin and the Basics of Trusts
 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. …  Read More  Read More 

Sep 23, 2019 • 29min
Dead Celebrity Ep 7 – Adam “MCA” Yauch: How to work with strong-willed clients — With Guest Jacqueline Bevilaqua
 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 …  Read More  Read More 

Aug 27, 2019 • 27min
Dead Celebrity Ep 6 – Women and their Finances: Gloria Vanderbilt — With Guest Michelle Smith, CDFA
 In this conversation, Michelle Smith, a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst and founder of Source Financial Advisors, dives into the evolving landscape of women's finances. She emphasizes the importance of clear communication and emotional intelligence when advising female clients. The discussion highlights common financial pitfalls in marriage and the necessity of transparency. Michelle also advocates for the need to adapt conversations around money, focusing on cash flow and lifestyle priorities, especially after major life changes. 

Jul 25, 2019 • 25min
Dead Celebrity Ep 5 – Tom Petty’s Children and a Second Marriage — With Returning Guest Megan Gorman
 Megan Gorman, the founding partner of Chequers Financial Management, returns to delve into the complexities of estate planning, using Tom Petty's case as a spotlight. They discuss the pitfalls of vague terms like 'equal' in trusts and the challenges of engaging clients on estate matters. Megan emphasizes the necessity of precise language to avoid disputes, especially in blended families. They also reflect on the importance of ongoing estate assessments and the advisor's role in navigating these issues, while drawing insights from other celebrity estates. 

Jul 17, 2019 • 27min
Dead Celebrity Ep 4 – Joan Crawford’s Decision to Exclude Children From Her Estate — With Guest Dr. Stanley Teitelbaum, PsyD
 Join Dr. Stanley Teitelbaum, a seasoned clinical psychologist with over 35 years of experience, as he unpacks the contentious legacy of Joan Crawford. Explore the intriguing psychology behind her decision to exclude her children from her estate. Dr. Teitelbaum reveals how emotions like resentment can lead to disinheritance. He discusses the importance of addressing family dynamics and offers insights on the role of mental health professionals in estate planning conversations. Discover practical solutions for navigating these complex issues. 


