Having Fun with Death & Taxes

The IRS claimed Michael Jackson's estate owed $700 million in taxes and penalties . Conversely, the estate famously claimed his "Image and Likeness" was only worth $2,105 . In this episode of Having Fun with Death & Taxes, Estate Planning Attorney Leslie Marenco and guest tax lawyer Francois Blanco break down the decade-long legal "shit show" that changed celebrity estate law and wealth preservation forever. In this episode, you’ll learn: ✅The Date of Death Rule ✅The Foreseeability Trap ✅The "Smell Test" ✅Tax Efficiency Secrets Don't let your legacy become a cautionary tale. Whether you are managing intellectual property or a local business, professional succession planning is the difference between a growing fortune and a government audit.

Heath Ledger left behind a legendary cinematic legacy and a posthumous Oscar, but his estate plan was stuck in the past. Having written his will five years before his death, the Dark Knight star completely omitted his daughter, Matilda, leaving his $20 million fortune in a state of legal limbo. In this episode of Having Fun with Death & Taxes, estate planning attorney Leslie Marenco and guest Gilberto Matute break down the "accidental" mess left behind by one of Hollywood’s brightest stars.

The Queen of Soul left behind an $80 million estate, but it came in a "holographic" will hidden in her living room. In this episode of Having Fun with Death & Taxes, estate planning attorney Leslie Marenco and guest Nicole Martins break down the shocking reality of probate litigation.Aretha’s story reveals how even a global icon's planning can turn into a "dumpster fire" of legal battles and unintended consequences. If you don’t want your family fighting for five years over a notebook found under a cushion, Leslie and Nicole are sharing key lessons from this probate nightmare to help you build a plan that actually protects what matters the most.Protect your legacy from becoming a cautionary tale: Whether you're an attorney or looking to protect your family, this episode reveals why 30 minutes with a professional is the only way to avoid years of family warfare and polarized relationships.

When U-Haul patriarch Leonard Shoen casually gifted shares to his children, he sparked a decades-long corporate bloodbath and a staggering $1.5 billion legal war.In this episode of Having Fun with Death and Taxes, Estate Planning Attorney Leslie Marenco and Corporate Attorney Kristina Wilson, break down the chaotic, multi-generational legal war behind the U-Haul empire. The family drama escalated into a hostile takeover, a boardroom coup, and even a tragic murder featured on Unsolved Mysteries.A must-listen for anyone scaling a family business, this episode covers exactly what not to do, including: ✋ The massive risks of gifting company shares without strong operating agreements. ✋ The dangers of "Frankensteining" legal documents from the internet to save a few bucks. ✋ How to use strategic estate planning to protect founders and restrict non-working family members to non-voting stock.

In this episode of Having Fun with Death & Taxes, estate planning attorney Leslie Marenco and family law attorney Vanessa Vasquez de Lara break down one of the most chaotic and bizarre celebrity probate battles: the estate of Howard Hughes. When the billionaire aviator and serial entrepreneur died in 1976 at the age of 70, he left behind no known will. What followed was an absolute legal circus, with over 600 people coming forward to claim a piece of the billion-dollar pie. This episode explores the wild intersection of family law and estate planning, diving deep into the legal realities of secret marriages, the dangers of international "quickie" divorces, and the strict burdens of proof for common-law relationships. It reveals how relying on verbal promises instead of an updated estate plan can leave surviving partners completely unprotected and facing immediate eviction

In this episode of Having Fun with Death & Taxes, attorneys Leslie Marenco and Saidin Hernandez break down how NFL owner Joe Robbie’s outdated estate plan triggered family warfare, IRS pressure, and a fire sale of a legendary franchise. Joe Robbie built the Miami Dolphins and privately financed their stadium, but his 1980s-era estate plan relied on a basic pour-over will and revocable trust. When he died unexpectedly, his family inherited a liquidity crisis they could not escape.

In this episode of Having Fun with Death & Taxes, host Leslie Marenco and estate planning & tax attorney, Ivan Gomez break down one of the most expensive celebrity estate planning mistakes in history, the $150 million estate of Joan Rivers. Known for her sharp wit and meticulous planning, Rivers appeared to have everything in place, even provisions for her beloved dogs. But a single contradictory line in her legal documents created a devastating tax vulnerability. By claiming New York residency while declaring California domicile, Joan Rivers unknowingly fell into what estate planners call the “domicile trap”, a mistake that can cost families millions. This episode reveals what went wrong, why it matters, and how proper estate planning can help prevent the same outcome.

In this episode of Having Fun with Death & Taxes, estate planning attorney Leslie Marenco and family law attorney Veronica Lopez-Calleja break down one of the most complex and prolonged celebrity estate disputes in history: the estate of the “Godfather of Soul,” James Brown. After Brown’s death in 2006, an estate valued at approximately $100 million became entangled in 16 years of litigation involving an invalid marriage, disputed paternity, outdated estate planning documents, and repeated trustee battles. This episode explores a rare trifecta of legal chaos—pretermitted heirs, unresolved marital status, and fiduciary failures—and reveals how relying on basic or outdated documents can trigger years of lawsuits, family conflict, and delayed legacies.

In this episode of Having Fun with Death & Taxes, attorney Leslie Marenco and estate planning attorney Alina Nuñez unpack the shocking reality behind Marilyn Monroe’s estate. Her entire legacy, later valued at more than $200 million, was governed by a three-page “simple” will. They explore how inadequate estate planning led to public probate, years of legal complications, and a surprising outcome that ultimately directed Monroe’s fortune to someone she never even met. This episode is a powerful reminder of how poor planning can derail even the most iconic legacy.

Lisa Marie Presley was born into about $100 million in Elvis Presley's wealth. Decades later, that fortune was drained mainly. Court filings describe a long slide into debt, unpaid taxes, and high-stakeswith her former business manager. At her death, she reportedly owed more than 1 million dollars to the IRS and millions more to other creditors. In this episode, attorney Leslie Marenco and guest Ernie Martinez break down what really happened with Lisa Marie’s trust, the lawsuit over alleged mismanagement, and the family fight over a 2016 trust amendment that shifted control to her daughter Riley Keough. You will learn how trustee oversight works, why small technical mistakes in trust amendments can spark big court battles, and how to protect generational wealth and landmarks like Graceland from predators and preventable legal mistakes.

In this episode, host Leslie Marenco sits down with Estate Planning Attorney Ernie Martinez to explore what went wrong with Elvis Presley’s estate. We break down how a flawed Will and Testamentary Trust left the estate vulnerable, how Priscilla Presley turned things around with a professional team, and why a Revocable Living Trust is essential to protect your wealth from family disputes, predators, and excessive taxes. See show notes for definitions and the episode toolkit.

The iconic voice behind America’s Top 40 and Shaggy from Scooby-Doo, Casey Kasem, had an $80 million estate, yet he signed his medical directives at a UPS Store. That single decision set off a Probate Disaster involving Guardianship Litigation, a missing persons report, shocking Elder Isolation, and the infamous raw steak lawsuit.In episode 3 of Having Fun with Death & Taxes, host Leslie Marenco and special guest Alex Gonzalez take a deep dive into the Casey Kasem Estate, revealing how a Celebrity Estate can spiral when Blended Family conflict, conservatorship battles, and unclear legal planning collide. Join us as we expose the real cost of cutting corners on legal counsel and why every family needs strong Incapacity Protocols in place before it’s too late.

The fight for Tom Petty's music catalog wasn't over his money, it was over three simple words: "equal participation." Join attorney Leslie Marenco and guest invited Manuel Rodriguez, as they discuss how Petty's extensive 80-page Trust failed to define voting rights, pitting his widow against his daughters in a high-stakes Blended Family Probate Nightmare. We expose how one ambiguous sentence can turn a secure estate into a multi-million dollar legal disaster, and why precision in your Revocable Trust is the only way to protect your legacy.

Join us on this episode of the FWD&T as we dive into what really happened after Lakers owner Jerry Buss passed away. His estate plan was meant to keep the team in the family—but what unfolded was a front-row seat to the drama that can follow when trusts, succession plans, and family dynamics collide.We’re joined by our brilliant guest Kristina Wilson as we discuss:✅ Why Jerry’s plan to divide the Lakers equally among his six kids sounded good—but didn’t go smoothly✅How Jeanie Buss made the tough call to remove her brother from the team’s leadership✅And what every business owner can take away from this real-life case This is one of those stories where estate planning, legacy, and family all go head-to-head—and we’re here to help you learn from it.

Having Fun with Death & Taxes: Intro

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