Celebrity Estates: Recent Episodes
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.
Giorgio Armani left behind more than fashion when he passed away at 91. His $12 billion empire, absence of direct heirs and a carefully crafted foundation raise essential estate planning lessons that extend beyond celebrity headlines.
Kevin Ghassomian, partner at Venable LLP, explains how Armani separated wealth from control, empowered trusted collaborators, and institutionalized his brand to ensure continuity. He emphasizes the importance of early planning, communication and mission-driven structures in preserving wealth and vision.
Join WealthManagement.com Senior Editor David Lenok and Kevin for a compelling discussion on the lasting lessons Armani’s estate provides for families, advisors and business owners alike.
Key takeaways:
- Armani’s early planning, which began in 2016, allowed for a structured succession strategy
- The separation of personal assets from business assets to protect brand identity
- The creation of a foundation to act as the steward of Armani’s legacy, ensuring mission-driven continuity
- The benefits and challenges of planning without a spouse or children, highlighting freedom vs. overwhelm
- Practical lessons business owners of all sizes can apply, such as buy-sell agreements, trusts and meaningful communication.
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
Connect With David Lenok:
- david.lenok@informa.com
- WealthManagement.com
- LinkedIn: David Lenok
- LinkedIn: Informa
- LinkedIn: WealthManagement
Connect With Kevin Ghassomian:
- Website: Venable LLP
- LinkedIn: Venable LLP
- LinkedIn: Kevin Ghassomian
About Our Guest:
Kevin Ghassomian focuses his practice on the personal legal needs of business owners, corporate executives, high-net-worth individuals, and their families. Kevin’s representation covers all aspects of domestic and international estate planning, with an emphasis on tax minimization, asset protection, business succession, and philanthropy. Kevin also counsels individual and corporate fiduciaries on the administration of trusts and estates, including the preparation of gift and estate tax returns and defense of positions taken on those returns.
Kevin previously worked in the New York City headquarters of a global investment company, where he counseled a multinational client base on complex wealth management matters, including foreign and domestic trust planning and related asset allocation strategies. Kevin leverages this background to collaborate with tax, investment, and insurance advisors, ensuring that their work is effectively integrated into the planning process.
In addition to his law practice, Kevin is a frequent speaker, a published author, and a former professor of law, concentrating his scholarship on estate planning, taxation, and various wealth management topics. He also devotes time to numerous civic and charitable causes, maintaining leadership positions on several nonprofit boards.
Ozzy Osbourne left behind more than music when he passed away at 76. His $250 million fortune, blended family and valuable music royalties raise pressing estate planning questions that extend far beyond celebrity headlines.
Tasha Dickinson, partner at Day Pitney LLP, shares how advisors can address family conflict, use independent fiduciaries and manage complex assets like royalties. She highlights the crucial role of communication and expectation-setting in preventing disputes.
Join WealthManagement.com Senior Editor David Lenok and Tasha for a compelling conversation on the lessons Ozzy’s estate offers for families and advisors alike.
Tasha discusses:
- The unique estate challenges faced by blended families and strategies to reduce conflict
- The importance of appointing an independent fiduciary rather than family members to administer estates
- How communication and expectation-setting can prevent litigation
- The complications of managing royalties, intellectual property and other nontraditional assets
- Why advisors should work as a unified team with attorneys and CPAs early in the planning process
- And more!
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
Connect With David Lenok:
- david.lenok@informa.com
- WealthManagement.com
- LinkedIn: David Lenok
- LinkedIn: Informa
- LinkedIn: WealthManagement
Connect With Tasha Dickinson:
- Website: Day Pitney LLP
- LinkedIn: Day Pitney LLP
- LinkedIn: Tasha Dickinson
About Our Guest:
Tasha Dickinson, a Florida Bar Board Certified Wills, Trusts and Estates Lawyer, exclusively represents individuals and families in sophisticated estate planning and estate/trust administration. She has extensive experience with complex wealth preservation strategies, business succession planning, and charitable planning. She represents fiduciaries in complicated estate and trust administration matters. Tasha has developed a niche working with family offices and has written and lectured extensively on residency planning.
When wrestling legend Hulk Hogan passed away, he left behind more than a fortune; he left a tangled family web.
In this episode, David Lenok talks with Lawrence D. Mandelker, Partner at Venable LLP, to discuss the estate challenges surrounding Hogan’s $25 million legacy.
Together, they explore how blended families, strained relationships, and renounced inheritances highlight the planning pitfalls that advisors see every day. From fairness vs. equality to the tools that can prevent disputes, this episode offers lessons advisors can apply directly with their clients.
Key Points:
- Hulk Hogan’s life, fortune, controversies, and blended family structure
- Estate planning challenges with multiple marriages, stepchildren, and strained relationships
- How advisors can help clients balance fairness vs. equality among heirs
- Discusses tools like trusts, disclaimers, and no-contest clauses to prevent family disputes
- Why proactive conversations and lifetime gifts can reduce surprises and conflicts later
- And more!
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
Connect With David Lenok:
- david.lenok@informa.com
- WealthManagement.com
- LinkedIn: David Lenok
- LinkedIn: Informa
- LinkedIn: WealthManagement
Connect With Lawrence D. Mandelker:
- Venable LLP
- LinkedIn: Venable LLP
- LinkedIn: Lawrence D. Mandelker
- ldmandelker@Venable.com
About Our Guest:
Larry Mandelker helps high-net-worth individuals with estate planning by counseling on mutigenerational transfers of assets and business succession planning. Through the use of wills, trusts, and other estate planning instruments, Larry works with his clients to creatively design estate plans that address their unique needs and plan for future contingencies, while also focusing on asset preservation, premarital planning, and estate, gift, and income tax minimization goals. His clients include individuals in many industries, including corporate executives and founders, owners of closely held businesses, real estate owners and developers, financial principals, technopreneurs, entertainers, athletes, and publishers.
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 episode of Celebrity Estates, host David Lenok welcomes Oliver Pursche, senior vice president at Wealthspire Advisors, for a deep dive into the estate complexities surrounding Leonard Lauder’s famed art collection. From cubist masterpieces to staggering valuations, they explore how collectibles impact balance sheets, spark family conflict and raise nuanced estate planning questions.
Here’s what to expect from this episode:
- The emotional psychology behind collecting and why it matters to advisors
- How valuation types (fair market vs. insurance vs. resale) shape tax and succession planning
- What advisors must know about collaborating with clients’ outside experts
- Strategies to handle heirs with unequal interest in inherited collections
- And more!
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
Connect With David Lenok:
- david.lenok@informa.com
- WealthManagement.com
- LinkedIn: David Lenok
- LinkedIn: Informa
- LinkedIn: WealthManagement
Connect With Oliver Pursche:
- Wealthspire Advisors
- LinkedIn: Wealthspire Advisors
- LinkedIn: Oliver Pursche, CEPA, AAMS
- (800) 994-3766
About Our Guest:
Oliver serves as an advisor based in the firm’s Westport, Conn. and New York offices and is an Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS®). He joined the team with over 25 years in financial services, having worked with independent RIAs, regional Broker Dealers, banks and bank trust departments, and family and multi-family offices.
Before coming to Wealthspire, he worked at Bruderman Asset Management, where he served most recently as the interim Chief Market Strategist and Vice Chairman of the Board, and previously as Chief Executive Officer. While concluding his tenure at Bruderman, he simultaneously served as Chief Investment Officer and Chief Market Strategist at EsteV LLC. He has also held leadership positions at Gary Goldberg Financial Services, Trust Company of America, and Neuberger Berman.
Oliver is an experienced global macro market strategist with significant media and corporate communications experience, as well as a published author. Active in the industry and his community, he served on the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women Entrepreneurs Advisory Board, Westport Arts Center Board, and Harvard Business Review Advisory Board, among others.
Originally from Germany, Oliver has resided in Fairfield, CT since 1984 and likes to stay active by playing tennis, scuba diving, and participating in competitive trap and skeet shooting in his free time.
Victoria Gray, deputy chairman of Bonhams North America, has spent decades curating and managing some of the most iconic celebrity estate auctions. From U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s six homes to Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s salt and pepper shakers, she reveals how intimate artifacts transform into coveted treasures worth thousands.
With a blend of art, emotion, and strategy, Victoria shares how storytelling and authenticity drive the value of these items, offering a rare glimpse into the private lives of public figures and the meticulous process of estate auctions.
Join WealthManagement.com Senior Editor David Lenok and Victoria for a fascinating discussion on the intersection of celebrity, legacy and financial planning.
Victoria shares insights into:
- The importance of in-situ photography for authenticity and buyer confidence
- How generational and first-time bidders are reshaping the auction landscape
- Strategies for appraising estate items for tax filings and sale timing
- Lessons advisors can learn from celebrity estate planning challenges
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
Connect With David Lenok:
- david.lenok@informa.com
- WealthManagement.com
- LinkedIn: David Lenok
- LinkedIn: Informa
- LinkedIn: WealthManagement
Connect With Victoria Gray:
- Bonhams
- LinkedIn: Bonhams
- LinkedIn: Victoria Gray
- Email: Victoria.Gray@bonhams.com
About Our Guest:
Victoria R. Gray is a Bonhams Vice President and Director of the Valuations, Trusts & Estates Department as well as Head of Office for Bonhams San Francisco. Since joining Bonhams San Francisco in 2003, she has taken on the responsibilities of managing and developing relationships and mutual business opportunities with trust & estate attorneys, trust officers, wealth managers, certified public accountants, and other fiduciary and professional advisors throughout the United States. Victoria assists clients in a variety of areas utilising Bonhams’ services, including appraisals, auctions, and private treaty sales.
In 2007 and 2008, Victoria worked frequently in the Bonhams Hong Kong office, helping drive forward the company’s expansion in the Asian market, including holding the first wine auction in Hong Kong in 2007. In 2008, Victoria was relocated to the Bonhams New York office, where she was tasked with building and expanding the Trusts & Estates Department for the US East Coast. After 5 years as Director and Head of Trusts & Estates in the New York Office, Victoria relocated back to the San Francisco office in 2012, where she has been running the Trusts & Estates group in San Francisco ever since.
In addition to being Vice President of Trusts & Estates, Victoria is Head of Office for San Francisco and manages business development opportunities.
In addition to her Trusts & Estates responsibilities, Victoria has also served as one of Bonham’s lead auctioneers since 2014, selling auctions ranging from wine, guns, jewellery, Asian works of Art, and Fine Art.
In addition to Bonhams auctions, Victoria also serves as a charity auctioneer.
Victoria holds a BA in Art History from Bucknell University, and prior to joining Bonhams in San Francisco, Victoria worked at Sotheby’s auction house in New York. Victoria gives frequent lectures and presentations on the art market and appraisals and has recently presented to the Peninsula Estate Planning Council, ACTEC California Fellows annual meeting, and ArtTable Seattle.
Leon Spinks shocked the world in 1978 when, in just his eighth professional fight, he defeated Muhammad Ali to become the undisputed heavyweight champion, a victory still regarded as one of boxing’s greatest upsets. Yet, despite his early success and multimillion-dollar earnings, financial missteps and the long-term effects of brain injuries would take a heavy toll.
At his lowest point, Spinks worked as a janitor and fast-food worker in Nebraska. But with the unwavering support of his wife Brenda, he eventually found peace and stability in Las Vegas, where he remained a cherished figure in the boxing community until his death from prostate cancer at age 67.
Join WealthManagement.com Senior Editor David Lenok as he sits down with advisor and author George Stefanou for an insightful conversation on the unique estate planning challenges faced by first-generation millionaires.
Together, they explore the emotional complexities and generational tensions that arise when “old country” values meet modern American dreams—and how advisors can help families navigate the delicate balance between legacy, lifestyle, and long-term stewardship.
George shares insights into:
- Challenges faced by first-generation millionaires
- The emotional side of estate planning and the importance of family conversations
- How heirs can avoid a ‘windfall mentality’
- Strategies for fostering family cohesion and legacy
- The expanded role of advisors, including the need for increased financial literacy
- And more
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
- Two-Comma Wealth by George Stefanou, CFP®, CPWA®, CEPA®
Connect With David Lenok:
- david.lenok@informa.com
- WealthManagement.com
- LinkedIn: David Lenok
- LinkedIn: Informa
- LinkedIn: WealthManagement
Connect With George Stefanou:
- Two-Comma Wealth
- Edward Jones: George Stefanou
- LinkedIn: George Stefanou
- Facebook: George Stefanou
About Our Guest:
George is a first-generation Greek-American and a 2023 & 2024 Forbes Best-in-State Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisor, serving as the financial guru behind “Two-Comma Wealth.” As a University of Central Florida alumnus and avid football fan, George brings a unique perspective to the world of personal finance.
Alongside his roles as a devoted husband to Kristin and father to Ella and Aubrey, George is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional who also holds the following advanced credentials: Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®), Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®), Accredited Asset Management Specialist℠ (AAMS®), Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist℠ (CRPS®) and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor℠ (CRPC®). Drawing on over 15 years of experience and thousands of diverse client interactions, George has developed a talent for humanizing finance, helping clients navigate the complexities of wealth management while empowering both investors and advisors.
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.
Jim Thorpe, revered as one of the greatest athletes in American history, exemplifies how personal wishes and legal rights can conflict posthumously. Thorpe’s estranged third wife, Patricia, moved his remains to a town in Pennsylvania, which now bears his name, in a bid to create a tourist attraction, a decision contested by his sons under …
John Amos, an actor who starred in such television shows as Good Times, The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The West Wing, is believed to have died from congestive heart failure, but his only daughter Shannon has doubts. She has accused her brother of elder abuse, including isolating Amos from others, impersonating him in communications …
Shannen Doherty, a beloved actress, was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer, tragically caught too late for treatment. The day before her passing on July 13, 2024, she finalized her divorce from Kurt Iswarienko, ensuring her assets would be passed to her chosen beneficiaries. In this episode, David Lenok and guest Shawn Goheen stress the …
Simon Cowell, reality star and record producer, has an estimated net value worth of $600 million. How much of that will be left for his son? According to him, nothing. Listen in as host David Lenok is joined by Thomas Kopelman, head of community at Estate Planning platform wealth.com and co-founder of All Street Wealth. …
Even celebrities aren’t free of the pitfalls of poor estate and legacy planning. With their lives and finances often in the spotlight, it can be easy to see where they fall short and how to avoid those same problems if you know where to look.
Join David Lenok and his guest, psychologist and economist Eric Schoenberg, as they discuss the psychological implications of inherited wealth and how economic principles might not always align with personal happiness. This enlightening discussion sheds light on common pitfalls in estate planning and offers valuable lessons that can be applied beyond the celebrity realm.
David and Eric touch on:
- The psychological impact of inherited wealth and its influence on personal fulfillment.
- The complexity of estate planning and common challenges faced by individuals, regardless of their status.
- Expert insights on navigating the legal and emotional aspects of estate distribution.
- Analyzing famous estate planning cases to extract valuable lessons for advisors and their clients.
- And more
Resources:
- Listen to the latest episodes of Celebrity Estates
- Trust and Estates Magazine
- “You Can’t Take It With You: The Life and Afterlife of America’s Greatest Fortunes” by Eric Schoenberg
Connect With Eric Schoenberg:
- LinkedIn: Eric Schoenberg
- Columbia University, Department of Psychology
Connect With David Lenok:
- david.lenok@informa.com
- WealthManagement.com
- LinkedIn: David Lenok
- LinkedIn: Informa
- LinkedIn: WealthManagement
About Our Guest:
Eric Schoenberg’s academic research centers on the psychology of money, with a specific focus on intergenerational wealth transfers and behavior in financial markets. He has taught a range of classes in Behavioral Economics and Decision Making.
Len Bias was a star basketball player at the University of Maryland drafted by the Boston Celtics in 1986 and one step away from becoming a pro athlete. Unfortunately, he passed away just two days after being selected but before signing any MBS or sponsorship documents, leaving him and his family just out of reach of the riches he would have gotten due to the timing of his death.
With host David Lenok and special guest Steve Lockshin, founder of AdvicePeriod and a co-founder of Vanilla, an estate planning advisory platform, they unravel the nuances surrounding Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals for athletes, the challenges and opportunities they present, and foundational estate planning strategies that every individual, regardless of fame, should consider.
David and Steve discuss:
- How do NIL deals affect young athletes’ financial and estate planning;
- Why are wills, durable powers, and healthcare directives important for young adults;
- Strategies to protect future earnings and assets through estate planning
- What advice do advisors have for guiding young earners in estate and financial planning;
- And more.
Resources:
- Listen to the latest episodes of Celebrity Estates
- Trust and Estates Magazine
Connect With Steve Lockshin:
- LinkedIn: Steve Lockshin
- Vanilla
Connect With David Lenok:
- david.lenok@informa.com
- WealthManagement.com
- LinkedIn: David Lenok
- LinkedIn: Informa
- LinkedIn: WealthManagement
About Our Guest:
Steve Lockshin is an entrepreneur in the wealth management services industry. He built and sold RIAs and TAMPs. Now doing it again, Steve is a founder with a primary focus towards serving the ultra-affluent through effective estate and investment planning. He is a champion for technological advances in the wealth advisory industry while working towards improving transparency and supporting the fiduciary standard(+) and the author of Get Wise to Your Advisor.
A close-knit network of family businesses, the NFL earns around $200 billion annually. On top of traditional family business within their individual branches, the NFL navigates those same financial planning connections between extended family members as well.
Join David Lenok and his guest Alvina Lo, chief wealth strategist at Wilmington Trust, as they delve into the complexities of the NFL as a family business, discussing succession planning, liquidity concerns, trust ownership, and potential private equity involvement.
David and Alvina discuss:
- What are the common challenges encountered with liquidity and succession planning in family-owned businesses
- How do NFL families navigate governance and control issues within their organizations
- What effects does trust ownership have on estate planning challenges within the NFL
- What are the potential consequences of permitting private equity involvement in the NFL
- And more
Resources:
- Listen to the latest episodes of Celebrity Estates
- Trust and Estates Magazine
Connect With Alvina Lo:
- LinkedIn: Alvina Lo
- Wilmington Trust
Connect With David Lenok:
- david.lenok@informa.com
- WealthManagement.com
- LinkedIn: David Lenok
- LinkedIn: Informa
- LinkedIn: WealthManagement
About Our Guest:
Alvina Lo leads a national team of multidisciplinary experts who collectively offer objective and holistic advice to clients, with a specific focus on their wealth, family, and business concerns. The scope of advice encompasses family office services, financial planning, trusts and estates planning, tax planning, business succession planning, philanthropy, and wealth education for the next generation. Alvina and her team prioritize planning, and through their actionable advice, they guide clients from strategy through implementation.
When King Charles III was crowned, he had lived a life full of experiences at the age of 74. His heirs equally have lived their lives and made their own decisions, including his son Harry who has taken up residence in the US.
This decision will impact how Harry’s inheritance will be taxed after his father passes.
In this episode, David Lenok is joined by David Lesperance, of Lesperance and Associates, and Melvin Warshaw, a tax and private client lawyer, in exploring how estate plans work when there are international heirs involved.
Lesperance and Warshaw discuss:
- The pain points of creating an estate plan with international heirs;
- What tax regulations impact international heirs and how their immigration status may impact that inheritance;
- How the US enforces inheritance tax with international heirs;
- Why everyone should be aware of the laws involved in the estate plan – even if they will be dead when it comes into action;
- And more.
Resources:
- Listen to the latest episodes of Celebrity Estates
Connect With David Lesperance:
- LinkedIn: David Lesperance
- Lesperance and Associates
Connect with Melvin Warshaw:
- LinkedIn: Melvin Warshaw
- Melvin Warshaw Practice
Connect With David Lenok:
- david.lenok@informa.com
- WealthManagement.com
- LinkedIn: David Lenok
- LinkedIn: Informa
- LinkedIn: WealthManagement
About Our Guests:
David Lesperance is one of the world’s leading international tax and immigration advisors. A published author in the field, David’s personal interest in these areas of law grew from his experience working as Canadian immigration and customs officer while studying law. Since being called to the bar in 1990, he has established his expertise with major law firms, his own law firm and as a private consultant. David has successfully advised scores of high and ultra high net-worth individuals and their families, many of whom continue to seek his counsel today. In addition he has provided pro bono advice to many governments on how to improve their Citizenship by Investment, Residence by Investment or “Golden Visa” type programs to better meet the needs of his global clients. David is supported by a team of professionals, some of whom have worked with him since the early 1990s.
Melvin Warshaw currently represents U. S. and non-U. S. high net worth individuals, families and companies on a wide range of personal and business tax matters, especially in connection with cross-border income and estate tax planning and compliance in the U. S. He is admitted to practice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the U.S.
Uncut Gems star Julia Fox recently went viral for posting a TikTok video showcasing her home, which was modest compared to the extravagant wealth you expect from someone wealthy and famous. Today, many millennials are shifting away from buying luxury homes.
In this episode, David Lenok speaks with Kelley Wolfington, Senior Wealth Strategist at SEI Private Wealth Management, on why the housing trend for high-net-worth individuals is shifting and how it reflects the current values passed on to the next generation.
Kelley discusses:
- Why the current generation believes in a values-driven spending;
- How wealthy millennials are choosing their financial advisors;
- Why the location of a house matters more in a remote work environment;
- The expectations for future generations to do something significant beyond spending inherited money;
- And more
Resources:
- Listen to the latest episodes of Celebrity Estates
Connect With Kelley Wolfington:
- LinkedIn: Kelley Wolfington
- SEI Private Wealth Management
Connect With David Lenok:
- david.lenok@informa.com
- WealthManagement.com
- LinkedIn: David Lenok
- LinkedIn: Informa
- LinkedIn: WealthManagement
About Our Guest:
Kelley Wolfington provides holistic advice in the areas of trust and estate planning, wealth transfer, philanthropy, succession planning, tax planning and family communications strategies for ultra-high net worth and high net worth individuals and families. Her responsibilities include collaborating with internal and external colleagues and partners to craft and deliver such advice as well as develop strategies, techniques, tools and materials related to these advisory areas. She helps facilitate a perpetual process to improve her clients’ condition by working with them to navigate goals, values and visions for themselves, their families and their communities.
Bob Barker is best known as the beloved host of The Price Is Right, the longest-running game show in American television history.
Barker sadly passed away in August 2023. The majority of his estate was donated to forty different animal and military charities, which was no surprise, given his life as a vegetarian and an outspoken animal rights advocate.
In this episode, David Lenok speaks with David Handler, a partner at Kirkland & Ellis, about adding charitable giving to legacy plans and what should be considered when choosing how to donate. They explore how charitable donations impact beneficiaries from a financial standpoint as well as the tax implications and how that money could be used after donating.
David discusses:
- Different types of charitable donations;
- How charitable donations impact legacy planning for beneficiaries;
- The tax implications of leaving money to charity;
- The limitations of directing where donations will be spent within a charity;
- And more
Resources:
- Listen to the latest episodes of Celebrity Estates
Connect With David Handler:
- LinkedIn: David Handler
- Kirkland & Ellis
Connect With David Lenok:
- david.lenok@informa.com
- WealthManagement.com
- LinkedIn: David Lenok
- LinkedIn: Informa
- LinkedIn: WealthManagement
About Our Guest:
David A. Handler is a partner in the Trusts and Estates Practice Group of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. He concentrates his practice on trust and estate planning and administration, representing owners of closely-held businesses, family offices, principals of private equity and venture capital funds, individuals and families of significant wealth, and establishing and administering private foundations and other charitable organizations.
David is a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), and a member of the NAEPC Estate Planning Hall of Fame as an Accredited Estate Planner (Distinguished). He is the creator or co-creator of the “HEET trust,” the “RPM Trust” and the “Guaranteed GRAT,” among other innovations. David is also a member of the professional advisory committees of several nonprofit organizations, including the Chicago Community Trust, The Art Institute of Chicago, The Goodman Theatre, WTTW11/98.7WFMT (Chicago public broadcasting stations) and the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago.
The entertainment industry is a world of buying, selling and competing for the right to use certain intellectual property and work in specific places. Managing the money, and more importantly, the tax implications requires a deft hand. In this episode, David Lenok speaks with Charles Lubar, retired Senior Counsel from McDermott Will & Emery, about … Continue reading Celebrity Estates: Celebrity Tax Planning Adventures with Jim Henson and Michael Jackson →
When King Charles III was crowned, he had lived a life full of experiences at the age of 74. His heirs equally have lived their lives and made their own decisions, including his son Harry who has taken up residence in the US. This decision will impact how Harry’s inheritance will be taxed after his … Continue reading Celebrity Estates: King Charles III and How International Heirs Impact Tax Planning →
Kylie Jenner has been an influential figure since 2010 as a model, business owner and social media personality. The majority of her wealth comes from the sale of 51% of her cosmetics company for an estimated $600 million.
In this episode, David Lenok speaks with Brad Franc, Director of Business Law at Houston Harbaugh and author of The Succession Solution, about succession planning for business owners and the next step after leaving the company.
Brad discusses:
- The first steps in building a succession plan;
- How the core values of a business owner impact the foundation of succession planning;
- Potential roadblocks impeding a succession plan and how to transform those problems into opportunities;
- The importance of setting a plan in place regardless of how many changes may happen along the way;
- And more
Resources:
- Listen to the latest episodes of Celebrity Estates
Connect With Brad Franc:
- LinkedIn: Brad Franc
- Houston Harbaugh
Connect With David Lenok:
- david.lenok@informa.com
- WealthManagement.com
- LinkedIn: David Lenok
- LinkedIn: Informa
- LinkedIn: WealthManagement
About Our Guest:
Practicing in the Business Law and Estates and Trusts Groups, Brad works extensively with private business owners, affluent individuals, closely held businesses, and technology-based firms to strategically integrate business, estate, and charitable planning objectives. For many closely- and privately-held business clients, he also serves as outside general counsel and advises on key initiatives such as business and strategic planning, commercial transactions, corporate governance, and estate and succession planning.
Lisa Marie Presley was only 9 years old when her father, Elvis Presley, died and she gained control of his whole estate at the age of 25. When she passed in 2023, her mother, Pricilla Presley, challenged the legitimacy of Lisa Marie’s daughters being named trustees of the trust containing the assets in Lisa Marie’s estate.
In this episode, David Lenok talks to Brian Dillon, partner at Lathrop GPM, about the problems that arise when estate documents are suspicious or improperly filed and how those problems impact the legal process of handling an estate.
Brian discusses:
- What casts doubt on the legitimacy of estate documents;
- When third party knowledge can be considered hearsay versus legitimate evidence to the deceased intent;
- Why having the conversation on inheritance before death can help avoid disputes;
- How previous paperwork sets a precedent of the deceased state of mind when determining influence on the estate plan
- And more
Resources:
- Listen to the latest episodes of Celebrity Estates
Connect With Brian Dillon:
- LinkedIn: Brian Dillon
- Lathrop GPM
Connect With David Lenok:
- david.lenok@informa.com
- WealthManagement.com
- LinkedIn: David Lenok
- LinkedIn: Informa
- LinkedIn: WealthManagement
About Our Guest:
Brian Dillon is the Partner in Charge of the Minneapolis office for Lathrop GPM. Brian is an experienced litigator who specializes in trusts and estates litigation, complex business and shareholder disputes, and responding to government investigations and enforcement actions. Clients value Brian’s diverse range of litigation experience and practical, down-to-earth approach in resolving disputes, both in and outside the courtroom.
Summary:
Uncut Gems star Julia Fox recently went viral for posting a TikTok video showcasing her home, which was modest compared to the extravagant wealth you expect from someone wealthy and famous. Today, many millennials are shifting away from buying luxury homes.
In this episode, David Lenok speaks with Kelley Wolfington, Senior Wealth Strategist at SEI Private Wealth Management, on why the housing trend for high-net-worth individuals is shifting and how it reflects the current values passed on to the next generation.
Kelley discusses:
- Why the current generation believes in a values-driven spending
- How wealthy millennials are choosing their financial advisors
- Why the location of a house matters more in a remote work environment
- The expectations for future generations to do something significant beyond spending inherited money
- And more
Resources:
- Listen to the latest episodes of Celebrity Estates
Connect With Kelley Wolfington:
- LinkedIn: Kelley Wolfington
- SEI Private Wealth Management
Connect With David Lenok:
- david.lenok@informa.com
- WealthManagement.com
- LinkedIn: David Lenok
- LinkedIn: Informa
- LinkedIn: WealthManagement
About Our Guest:
Kelley Wolfington provides holistic advice in the areas of trust and estate planning, wealth transfer, philanthropy, succession planning, tax planning and family communications strategies for ultra-high net worth and high net worth individuals and families. Her responsibilities include collaborating with internal and external colleagues and partners to craft and deliver such advice as well as develop strategies, techniques, tools and materials related to these advisory areas. She helps facilitate a perpetual process to improve her clients’ condition by working with them to navigate goals, values and visions for themselves, their families and their communities.
The Windsors maintain a rigid estate and succession plan that’s been (in some cases, quite literally) written in stone for hundreds of years. With the recent passing of Queen Elizabeth II, it’s an opportune time to ask: What can planners learn from such an impossibly rigid, yet simultaneously extremely transparent ‘plan’?
In this episode, David Lenok is joined by Tim Volk, Founder and Managing Director of T. Volk and Company, in discussing the repercussions of such a plan, including the importance of considering the age of the ‘next generation’ in light of ever-increasing longevity and the important distinction between adultship and eldership.
Tim discusses:
- How a delay in the exit of the head of the family impacts the succession plan of the next generation;
- When do individuals need to move from adultship to eldership;
- How longevity impacts who inherits the estate (and when);
- The problem of entitlement in succession planning;
- And more
Resources:
- Listen to the latest episodes of Celebrity Estates
Connect With Tim Volk:
- LinkedIn: Tim Volk
- T. Volk and Company
Connect With David Lenok:
- david.lenok@informa.com
- WealthManagement.com
- LinkedIn: David Lenok
- LinkedIn: Informa
- LinkedIn: WealthManagement
About Our Guest:
Timothy J. Volk, CFP, is the architect of a highly successful entrepreneurial career encompassing independent advisory, strategic planning, and financial services (banking, wealth management, insurance, and real estate) and is driven by his core values of family, community, and responsible stewardship. As principal of T. Volk & Co., he leverages his experience in a successful legacy family business and provides prudent and trusted counsel to families striving to protect their enterprises and preserve their wealth.
Anne Heche was an actress known for her roles in a variety of genres in film, television and theater, receiving numerous accolades. On her tragic death in August 2022, Heche’s son Homer and her former partner James Tupper fought in court over who would be her estate administrator and guardian of her youngest son Atlas.
In this episode, David Lenok is joined by Benazeer “Benny” Roshan, Partner at Greenberg Glusker, in differentiating the roles of trustee and administrator for an estate. They focus on how the court typically handles such roles and what their respective responsibilities and duties are.
Benny discusses:
- The benefits and detriments of probate;
- Who should be an executor or a trustee;
- The difference in responsibilities between trustees and administrators for estates;
- And more
Connect With Benny Roshan:
- LinkedIn: Benny Roshan
- Greenberg Glusker
Connect With David Lenok:
- david.lenok@informa.com
- WealthManagement.com
- LinkedIn: David Lenok
- LinkedIn: Informa
About Our Guest:
For over 15 years, Benny has successfully represented a wide range of fiduciaries and beneficiaries in disputes involving trusts, fiduciary appointments, accountings, removal, and surcharge. Benny is recognized by Chambers and Partners in their High Net Worth Guide for 2021 and 2022. In 2018, the Daily Journal named Benny one of the Top 40 Lawyers Under 40 in the State of California.
Pat Bowlen was an American lawyer and partial owner of the Denver Broncos, along with his two brothers and sister. He served as the Broncos CEO until July 2014, when he stepped down due to progressive effects of Alzheimer’s disease, and passed away in 2019. His estate plan was unique due to the family trust in place, with the three trustees taking over in 2014 with the sole purpose of determining the next owner of the team.
In this episode, David Lenok is joined by Dan Griffith, senior vice president and director of wealth strategy at Huntington Private Bank, to review the estate planning of Pat Bowlen and how the trust came into effect. He reveals why business owners are forced out more often than retire and how to choose the best advisors to address your estate planning needs.
Dan discusses:
- Why choosing a new owner for the Broncos caused issues among Pat’s descendants
- How choosing trustees before you are incapable benefits your estate plan
- The importance of choosing trustworthy and good advisors for an estate plan
- Why it is difficult to simply retire as a business owner
Connect With Dan Griffith:
- Dan Griffith
- Huntington National Bank
Connect With David Lenok:
- david.lenok@informa.com
- WealthManagement.com
About Our Guest:
Dan Griffith is an experienced attorney with a passion for helping families and business owners find solutions to their planning challenges.
Named the Greatest Rock Star Ever after his death, David Bowie is a singer, songwriter and actor who left his mark on the world along with a $100 million dollar estate at the time of his death. Recently, his music catalog sold for a reported $250 million, higher than his initial estate value. In this … Continue reading REPLAY! Celebrity Estates Podcast David Bowie: The Financial Side Of A Music Catalog (Ep. 73) →
The Douglas family started their legendary Hollywood career with Kirk Douglas in 1946, who had been a major box office star. Michael Douglas later surpassed his father’s great fame, receiving numerous accolades. However, Cameron Douglas, Michael’s son, struggled to continue the family’s Hollywood legacy. In this episode, David Lenok speaks with Dr. Jamie Weiner, Co-Founder … Continue reading Celebrity Estates: Kirk, Michael and Cameron Douglas and the Challenge of Measuring up to Previous Generations (Ep.72) →
Whitney Houston, beloved singer and actress, left her entire estate to her 18-year-old only child Bobby Christina Brown. The wealth transfer was divided into three age-based distributions, with the final transfer scheduled at age 30. However, things got complicated when Brown, too, died at 22 before inheriting her mother’s estate. In this episode, David Lenok … Continue reading Celebrity Estates: Whitney Houston and Adding Age Provisions For Young Beneficiaries (Ep. 71) →
Lead vocalist for Queen, Freddie Mercury kept quiet about his love life up until his death in 1991 due to complications from HIV. Since then, LGTBQ+ rights and recognition have led to a more tolerant society, with financial planning following suit. In this episode, David Lenok is joined by Tim Volk, Founder and Managing Director … Continue reading Celebrity Estates: Freddie Mercury and Financial Planning With An LGBTQ+ Mindset (Ep.70) →
Vince McMahon Sr. is best known for founding the company that eventually became World Wrestling Entertainment. In a family business, which the WWE very much is, passing down core values can be a struggle as future generations look to create their own paths. In this episode, David Lenok is joined by Kelley Wolfington, Senior Wealth … Continue reading 69. Vince McMahon Sr. and the Evolution Of Generational Values →
Conrad Hilton got his start in hospitality at his family’s general store in the New Mexico Territory. Years later, he established the largest hotel chain in the world, Hilton Hotels. After his death, Conrad left much of his estate to the Conrad Hilton Foundation — until his son decided to contest the will. In this … Continue reading 68. Conrad Hilton and Advising First Generation Wealth Creators →
The war between Russia and Ukraine is upsetting what many thought to be a well-established world order. The ripples of the conflict are being felt thousands of miles away, as the global economy struggles to recalibrate on the fly. The return of war to Europe reinforces the need for clients to have a backup plan … Continue reading 67. Russia And Ukraine: The Benefits Of Alternative Citizenship →
Michael Nesmith, songwriter, actor, producer, novelist and member of the popular group The Monkees passed away in December 2021. His will stated he wished to donate his entire estate to his mother’s foundation—however, there was one complication to the legality of the document. Nesmith’s will was hand written. In this episode, David Lenok is joined … Continue reading 66. Michael Nesmith, The Monkees and The Legality Of Holographic Wills →
Named the Greatest Rock Star Ever after his death, David Bowie is a singer, songwriter and actor who left his mark on the world along with a $100 million dollar estate at the time of his death. Recently, his music catalog sold for a reported $250 million, higher than his initial estate value. In this … Continue reading 65. David Bowie: The Financial Side Of A Music Catalog →
Pat Bowlen was an American lawyer and partial owner of the Denver Broncos, along with his two brothers and sister. He served as the Broncos CEO until July 2014, when he stepped down due to progressive effects of Alzheimer’s disease, and passed away in 2019. His estate plan was unique due to the family trust … Continue reading 64. Pat Bowlen: Creating An Estate Plan Before Being Forced Out →
Jay Leno spent 22 years hosting the “The Tonight Show” before being inducted into the Television Hall of Fame. His prized collection consists of approximately 286 vehicles: 169 cars and 117 motorcycles, all of which create a bit of a challenge when it comes to asset planning. In this episode, David Lenok is joined by … Continue reading 63. Jay Leno: Planning for Classic Car Collections →
From the mid 1920’s to his death in 1975, Aristotle Onassis embodied the phrase “many fingers in many pies” with businesses ranging from international shipping to less savory military hunters. Greek law limited how much could be granted to his American wife, Jackie O., after his death, regardless of his enormous legacy. With those limitations … Continue reading 62. Aristotle Onassis: The Impact of International Asset Planning →
David Lenok is joined by John Pantekidis, chief investment officer and general counsel at Twin Focus, to discuss the struggles of determining inheritance with children from multiple partners and the legal and tax issues when children are taken into account. With over 74 million records sold worldwide and a lucrative career that took him in … Continue reading 61. DMX: Planning For Blended Families →
Encore Presentation David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, is joined by Dr. Denise Federer, speaker, consultant, coach, psychologist, author, and founder of the Federer Performance Management Group (FPMG) as they discuss the impact of families not having those difficult conversations about their money and wealth. This episode focuses on an icon from Hollywood’s Golden Age, … Continue reading Ep 60 – Audrey Hepburn: When Secrets Destroy A Family →
In this episode’s encore presentation, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, is joined once again by Megan Gorman, founding partner of Chequers Financial Management. Today’s celebrity example is Philip Seymour Hoffman, American actor, director and producer, and father of three children with longtime girlfriend, Mimi. At the time of his death, Philip Seymour Hoffman’s only … Continue reading Ep 59 – Philip Seymour Hoffman – Don’t Delay When It Comes To Your Estate Plan – With Megan Gorman →
With a 4% stake in Amazon, MacKenzie Scott, formerly MacKenzie Bezos, is the third wealthiest woman in the United States. In this episode, David Lenok is joined by Richard Peck, vice president of New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, and Jonathan Gassman, CEO of Gassman Financial Group. Richard and Jonathan discuss how she goes about charitable giving … Continue reading Ep 58 – MacKenzie Scott: The Future of Giving? →
From his home and liquid possessions to his image and royalty rights, settling Prince’s estate would have been a complex process, even with a will. But Prince did not have a will, and this led to one of the largest and most complex estate battles in Minnesota and even American history. However, the most mysterious … Continue reading Ep 57 – Prince: Planning for Intellectual Property With Matthew Erskine →
Between his six children and his illiquid assets in Tesla and SpaceX, Elon Musk’s claim to give half of his fortune to charity falls short. Yet only a few small steps would be required to increase his charitable giving and arrange support for his family. In this episode, David Lenok is joined by John Pantekidis … Continue reading Ep 56 – Elon Musk’s Charitable Limits With John Pantekidis →
In 2008, following a very public breakdown, Britney Spears and her estate were placed under a conservatorship managed by her father, Jamie Spears. Now 13 years later, Britney is contesting the conservatorship. In this episode, David Lenok is joined once again by Megan Gorman from Chequers Financial Management. They dive into the legal wrangling of … Continue reading Ep 55 – Britney Spears: How The Jump Conservatorship Skips Estate Planning With Megan Gorman →
In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, is joined by Robert Strauss, shareholder and director of Weinstock Manion, specializing in guiding high net worth families, business owners, and real estate developers through the complex process of estate and wealth transfer planning. Today’s celebrity example is the estate of legendary musician and American icon … Continue reading Ep 54 – James Brown: Philanthropy After Death With Robert Strauss →
Many of us remember Chrisptopher Reeves for his unforgettable performance as the first Superman to appear on the big screen in 1978. But a lot of us forget his later years were spent as a parapelegic after a tragic horse accident. In this episode, David Lenok speaks with Gina Nelson about some of the different … Continue reading Ep 53 – The Information About Special Needs Trusts Everyone Needs To Hear With Gina Nelson →
A trust might make complete sense. But when you add family dynamics to the equation, chaos can ensue. This is exactly what happened when a millionaire decided to remove two of his biological grandchildren from his multi-million dollar trust plan. In this episode, David Lenok is joined by returning guest Megan Gorman, a founding partner … Continue reading Ep 52 – Peter Bing: How Incorrect Terminology in an Estate Plan Can Cause Total Chaos With Megan Gorman →
In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, speaks with Barbara Archer, managing director and partner at Hightower. David and Barbara speak about Barbra’s story of researching, purchasing and preserving art that can be shared with the world. Today’s celebrity example begins with Lilly Pulitzer. Lilly quickly grew to fame through her fashion and … Continue reading Ep 51 – Preserving Your Inherited Collectibles with Barbara Archer →
In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, sits down with Rick Kahler, president of Kahler Financial Group, as they dive into the subconscious mind around money. Today’s celebrity example is Warren Buffett and his interesting relationship with money. Buffett, once the most wealthy man in the world, now sits in 7th place. It … Continue reading Ep 50 – Warren Buffett – What Is Your Subconscious Relationship With Money? With Rick Kahler →
In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, is joined by Dan Griffith, senior vice president and director of wealth strategy at Huntington Private Bank. Today’s celebrity example is brought to you by Clare Bronfman. We discuss Clare’s journey into using generational wealth to fund a company with negative ties. We use this infamous … Continue reading Ep 49 – Clare Bronfman: Building Generational Wealth that Matters With Dan Griffith →
In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, speaks with Rob Wermuth, senior partner and Kevin Donohue, partner at the Pennsylvania-based firm Legacy Planning about the intricacies of estate planning. Today’s celebrity estate example is brought to us by Playboy Magazine founder and figurehead Hugh Hefner. Through the use of trusts, prenups and taking … Continue reading Ep 48 – Hugh Hefner: Plan it and Communicate it –– With Robert Wermuth and Kevin Donohue →
In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, is joined by Alex Weingarten, partner at Venable LLP, where he is a commercial trial lawyer who represents clients in all facets of entertainment, probate and business litigation. Today’s celebrity example is Aretha Franklin; we discussed her estate in episode 8 and at that time it … Continue reading Ep 47 – Aretha Franklin: Loose Ends Can Unravel Your Estate –– With Alex Weingarten →
David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, is joined by Jeff Fishman, founder and managing member of JSF Financial, a financial firm that specializes in working with high profile clients and those in the entertainment industry. Unlike our other episodes focusing on the estates of celebrities who have passed, this episode is all about advising those … Continue reading Ep 46 – Advising Entertainment Industry Clients →
In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, speaks with returning guest Megan Gorman of Chequers Financial Management about the issues surrounding the celebrity estate of none other than legendary talk show host Larry King. There was an estate plan, multiple children from multiple marriages, a holographic will written after filing for divorce, and … Continue reading Ep 45 – Larry King: Get Your Financial House In Order –– With Megan Gorman →
Today, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, is joined by Damien Martin, tax partner at BKD CPAs and Advisors. This episode focuses on the father of rock ‘n roll, Chuck Berry, the legendary musician who worked up into his 80’s, amassing a sizable estate upon his death in 2017 at the age of 90, despite … Continue reading Ep 44 – Chuck Berry: Be Intentional When It Comes To Taxes – with guest Damien Martin →
David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, is joined by Dr. Denise Federer, speaker, consultant, coach, psychologist, author, and founder of the Federer Performance Management Group (FPMG) as they discuss the impact of families not having those difficult conversations about their money and wealth. This episode focuses on an icon from Hollywood’s Golden Age, the legendary … Continue reading Ep 43 – Audrey Hepburn: When Secrets Destroy A Family–– With Dr. Denise Federer →
In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, is joined by Christopher Melcher, partner at Walzer Melcher LLP where they focus on complex family law litigation and premarital agreements of high net worth individuals. Today’s celebrity example is Jack Cassidy; an American actor and singer known for his works in theatre, tv and film. … Continue reading Ep 42 – Jack Cassidy: Loose Ends Can Unravel Your Estate –– With Christopher Melcher →
In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, is joined once again by Megan Gorman, founding partner of Chequers Financial Management. Today’s celebrity example is Philip Seymour Hoffman, American actor, director and producer, and father of three children with longtime girlfriend, Mimi. At the time of his death, Philip Seymour Hoffman’s only estate documentation … Continue reading Ep 41 – Philip Seymour Hoffman – Don’t Delay When It Comes To Your Estate Plan – With Megan Gorman →
In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, speaks with Brian Weiner, Founder and Managing Partner of Audent Family Wealth Advisors. As managing partner, Brian leads the family offices service program, CIO Platform and next generation education program. This episode focuses on world famous singer/songwriter, dancer, and the king of pop himself Michael Jackson. … Continue reading Ep 40 – Michael Jackson: Creating A Thriller of An Estate Plan –– With Brian Weiner →
Today, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, is joined by Amanda Koplin, LPC, a mental health entrepreneur who is the founder and CEO of Koplin Consulting. This episode focuses on legendary comedic actor Robin Williams’ tragic suicide and the shocking, unspoken truth about male suicide statistics. Notably, the victims –– namely middle-aged white men –– … Continue reading Ep 39 – Robin Williams: How To Spot the Warning Signs of Suicide in Your Clients –– With Amanda Koplin →
In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, is joined by James Bertles, managing director at Tiedemann Advisors and head of the firm’s Palm Beach office. Today’s celebrity example is Tom Carvel, the creator of soft serve ice cream and one of the founding fathers of the franchise system in America. Thinking he was … Continue reading Ep 38 – Tom Carvel: Why Having Too Many Executors Can Melt an Estate –– With James Bertles →
In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, speaks with returning guest Megan Gorman of Chequers Financial Management. The celebrity examples in this episode are Ric Ocasek and his third wife, Paulina Porizkova. Ric Ocasek was an American musician who was most well known as the co-lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and songwriter for the … Continue reading Ep 37 – Ric Ocasek & Paulina Porizkova: What To Do If Your Client Wants To Disinherit Their Spouse –– With Megan Gorman →
In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, is joined again by Vivian Lee Thoreen of Holland & Knight. The celebrity example in this episode is Richard Pryor, an American actor, writer, and one of the most influential standup comedians of all time. Richard was married five times and fathered seven children from six … Continue reading Ep 36 – Richard Pryor: Don’t Miss the Signs of Elder Abuse –– With Vivian Lee Thoreen →
In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, is joined again by Jacqueline Bevilaqua, a tax, trust and estates associate at Katzy Korins. The celebrity example in this episode is actor Chadwick Boseman, who was best known for portraying heroes, specifically Black heroes, in films, such as “42,” “Get On Up,” “Marshall,” and, of … Continue reading Ep 35 – Chadwick Boseman: Estate Planning Essentials for Clients With a Diagnosis –– With Jacqueline Bevilaqua →
In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, is joined again by Megan Gorman, founder of Chequers Financial Management, to discuss the perfection that was Luke Perry’s estate and funeral plan. American actor and teen idol, Luke Perry, was best known as “bad boy” Dylan Mckay on the TV series Beverly Hills, 90210. When … Continue reading Ep 34 – Luke Perry: Replenishing the Earth in a Mushroom Suit →
When you realize your client is living beyond their means and creating nothing but headaches for the executor of their estate, how can you help? In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, speaks with Mark Brandenburg, an attorney who focuses on estate planning, estate administration, and probate law. The celebrity example of today’s … Continue reading Ep 33 – Sammy Davis Jr: An Insolvent Estate Is Not How You Want To Be Remembered →
Are your clients charitably inclined, but also want to provide for their heirs? There may be a way to do both, while saving on taxes. In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, talks to Carl Fiore, a managing director in the Andersen U.S. National Tax office, about how wealthy people are saving their … Continue reading Ep 32 – Jackie O: How the Underrated CLAT Can Help Wealthy Clients’ Heirs Save on Taxes –– With Carl Fiore →
You work hard for your money, so don’t let the government take it all when you die. This is exactly what happened to one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century, Elvis Presley. In this episode, David Lenok speaks with Paige Goepfert of Andersen Global to explore the financial mishaps of the … Continue reading Ep 31 – Death, Taxes, and Elvis Presley — With Paige Goepfert →
Most people believe their marriages will last forever. But whether their marriage endures or ends, it’s in your clients’ best interests to have a prenuptial agreement –– especially if the split isn’t amicable In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, talks with Aviva Pinto, a managing director at Wealthspire Advisors. This episode is … Continue reading Ep 30 – Kenny Rogers: Knowing When to Hold ‘Em (Top Prenup Tips for Advisors) →
Are your clients thinking about investing in wine? Wine is a true portfolio diversifier, but there are a few things your clients should know first. In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, talks to Tom Gearing, CEO and co-founder of Cult Wines Limited, about investing in wine. This topic is inspired by golf … Continue reading Ep 29 – Arnold Palmer: Investing in Wine Could Be Your Clients’ Hole in One →
Collectibles have different values depending on who collected them, who owns them, and who wants them. In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, talks again with Sarah McDaniel, a CFA and managing director who heads the Wealth Strategies Group and Advanced Planning Centers at Morgan Stanley. Together, they discuss estate planning for collectibles. … Continue reading Ep 28 – Debbie Reynolds, Carrie Fisher, and Billie Lourd: Estate Planning for Collectibles →
The millennial generation is simultaneously the most talked about, sought after, and yet curiously underserved demographic in the financial planning industry. In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, is joined by Douglas Boneparth, founder of Bone Fide Wealth. They discuss how today’s financial advisors can appeal to millennials –– and why bringing in … Continue reading Ep 27 – Amy Winehouse: Reasons to Work With Millennial Clients (And How to Get Started) →
Only one-third of family businesses make it to the next generation. What are you doing today to help your family business last? In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, has the pleasure of speaking with Mitzi Perdue, a businesswoman, author, and professional public speaker. Mitzi is also the daughter of Sheraton Hotel’s co-founders … Continue reading Episode 26: How to Make Your Family Business Last –– With Mitzi Perdue →
Your clients’ beneficiaries will have a lot of unintended expenses if your clients don’t take the right estate-planning steps –– especially if the plan is nonexistent. In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, speaks with returning guest Megan Gorman of Chequers Financial Management about what happens to an estate when there is no … Continue reading Ep 25 – Prince: Nothing Compares 2 Having a Proper Estate Plan →
It’s surprisingly easy to have estate planning documents and wills modified or overturned. Can your clients be assured that their estate planning documents will be enforced after they’re gone? In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, speaks with three-time guest, Jacqueline Bevilaqua, an associate at Katsky Korins, about what can happen to a … Continue reading Ep 24 – Albert C. Barnes: Wills of the Rich and Famous –– With Jacqueline Bevilaqua →
Are you willing to let your children take the reigns of the family business? Giving your children the space to try and make their own mistakes as they learn will help you identify who is ready to take on the family business. In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, speaks with returning guest … Continue reading Ep 23- George Steinbrenner and the Value of Flexibility –– With Amy Castoro →
Whether you know it or not, you have digital assets, your email, your photos, all your social media accounts. Those are your digital assets. What happens to those accounts when you die? In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, is talking with Karin Prangley, Senior Vice President Private Wealth Management at Brown Brothers … Continue reading Ep 22 – Steve Jobs: Dying with Digital Assets with Karin Prangley →
Sponsored By: FS Investments No parent wants their children to be worse off because of the wealth they inherit. As an advisor, what can you do to help parents equip their children for wealth and snuff out a sense of entitlement –– or affluenza –– that could derail them in the future? In this episode, … Continue reading Ep 21 – Aaron Spelling: Help Wealthy Parents Nip Their Children’s Affluenza in the Bud –– With Amy Castoro →
Too many people are oblivious to the estate tax. But as an advisor, you’re perfectly positioned to help your clients avoid passing on a tax bill to their heirs. In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, speaks with Scott Steiner of Calamos Wealth Management about what you can do to make your clients … Continue reading Ep 20 – The Wrigley Family: Help Your Clients Avoiding Passing on an Estate Tax Bill — With Scott Steiner →
What is it about the American tax system that’s compelling people to renounce their U.S. citizenship? Is there a better option for you and your money? In this episode, WealthManagement.com’s senior editor, David Lenok, is joined by David Lesperance, a tax and immigration lawyer who has been helping people save their wealth from the taxman … Continue reading Dead Celebrity Ep 19 – Yul Brynner: Renouncing U.S. Citizenship — With David Lesperance →
Sponsored By: FS Investments Numerous post-death estate-litigation cases happen across the U.S. every day. How will you help your clients understand their estate planning decisions and ultimately prevent post-death litigation? In this episode, David Lenok, WealthManagement.com’s senior editor, is joined by the attorney who represented Mickey Rooney and his estate in his elder abuse and estate … Continue reading Dead Celebrity Ep 18 – Mickey Rooney: Elder Abuse and Preventing Post-Death Litigation — With Vivian Lee Thoreen →
Sponsored By: FS Investments What kind of difference do your clients want to make in the world — and for themselves — with their philanthropy? In this episode, WealthManagement.com’s senior editor, David Lenok, is joined by Bruce DeBoskey, president and founder of The DeBoskey Group. Bruce has dedicated his life to helping others maximize the … Continue reading Dead Celebrity Ep 17 – Elizabeth Taylor: Going Deep With Your Philanthropy — With Bruce DeBoskey →
Sponsored By: FS Investments There is a special kind of fear that estate planning brings out in many people. As an advisor, how will you help your clients move past this fear enough to do thorough estate planning? In this episode, WealthManagement.com’s senior editor, David Lenok, is joined again by Jacqueline Bevilaqua of Katsky Korins … Continue reading Dead Celebrity Ep 16 – Robert Mugabe: Help Your Clients Face their Estate-Planning Fears — With Jacqueline Bevilaqua →
If you had a client with multiple spouses, would you know how to handle their estate planning? In this episode, WealthManagement.com’s senior editor, David Lenok, speaks with Kim Kamin, principal at Gresham Partners, about the success of Jerry Weintraub’s estate plan. Its success is notable given that this Emmy-Award winning producer, talent manager, and actor … Continue reading Dead Celebrity Ep 15—Jerry Weintraub: Modern Polyamory—With Kim Kamin →
Sponsored By: FS Investments Since not all states treat taxes the same, snowbirds who don’t know the rules might experience great heartache when they receive their tax bill. In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, speaks with tax attorney Daniel Bernard. Together, they discuss John D. Rockefeller, the legendary American industrialist, philanthropist, and … Continue reading Dead Celebrity – Ep 14 – Rockefeller: Help Your Snowbirds Dodge Tax Pitfalls — With Daniel Bernard →
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 … Continue reading Dead Celebrity Ep 13 – Picasso: The Taxman Cometh — With Sarah McDaniel, CFA →
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 … Continue reading Dead Celebrity – Ep 12 – Jerry Buss: Make Succession Planning a Slam Dunk — With Sonya Mughal →
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, … Continue reading Dead Celebrity Ep 11 – Liberace: Planning for LGBTQ Clients — With Bruce Hoffmeister →
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 … Continue reading Dead Celebrity Ep 10 – Robin Williams Planned It Right — With Guest Avi Kestenbaum →
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 … Continue reading Dead Celebrity Ep 9 – Marlon Brando: Loss of Capacity →
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. … Continue reading Dead Celebrity Ep 8 – Anthony Bourdain, Aretha Franklin and the Basics of Trusts →
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 … Continue reading Dead Celebrity Ep 7 – Adam “MCA” Yauch: How to work with strong-willed clients — With Guest Jacqueline Bevilaqua →
A massive demographic shift is underway for women with money. As an advisor, are you equipped to help women take control of their finances? In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, speaks with Michelle Smith, a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst about women and money. Together, they unpack what advisors can learn from the … Continue reading Dead Celebrity Ep 6 – Women and their Finances: Gloria Vanderbilt — With Guest Michelle Smith, CDFA →
When you’re creating or updating your estate planning documents, using clear language takes on a whole new level of importance. Your carefully crafted language can ensure that your wishes leave no room for interpretation. In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, speaks with Megan Gorman, founding partner of Chequers Financial Management. Together, they … Continue reading Dead Celebrity Ep 5 – Tom Petty’s Children and a Second Marriage — With Returning Guest Megan Gorman →
Too many times we allow our emotions to get the better of us, leading us to make unfair or judgmental decisions. Will you use your estate plan to punish your heirs? Or will you choose to resolve issues before it’s too late? In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, speaks with Dr. Stanley … Continue reading Dead Celebrity Ep 4 – Joan Crawford’s Decision to Exclude Children From Her Estate — With Guest Dr. Stanley Teitelbaum, PsyD →
Have you considered what would happen to your pet if something happened to you? Do you want to ensure that your family friend is taken care of after you’re gone? This episode will open your mind to the options available to you and your pet. In episode three of Dead Celebrity, by Informa WealthManagement.com, … Continue reading Dead Celebrity Ep 3 – Will Your Pets Become Heirs? A Look at Karl Lagerfeld and His Cat — With Guest Megan Gorman →
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 soon find out, even … Continue reading Dead Celebrity Ep 2 – Robin Williams Planned It Right — With Guest Avi Kestenbaum →
Are you that person who thinks, “I don’t need to do that paperwork today. It can wait”? Do you think it’s unnecessary to plan out your final wishes and make sure your estate plan is in order? In this inaugural episode of Dead Celebrity, by Informa WealthManagement.com, we learn lessons from the life and death … Continue reading Dead Celebrity Ep 1 – The Bizarre Story of Casey Kasem — With Guest Jim Dougherty →