Life's Third Act

Whether you’re planning your legacy or making arrangements for the future, selecting a trustee who can effectively manage your assets and carry out your wishes is paramount. In this episode of Life’s Third Act, Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell is joined by TuckerAllen estate planning attorney, Benjamin Zinkel, to dive into the crucial topic of choosing the right trustee for your estate. Join M...

Part three of the Stan Lee story, Joe Cordell dives deep into the famed comic book writer’s estate. After amassing millions in fans and fortune, Lee forged a massive but complicated estate plan for himself and his family. Unfortunately like many elderly stars, Lee fell prey to business partners who sought to exploit him. Towards the end of his life, Lee was embroiled in complicated legal battles w...

In part two of the Stan Lee story, Joe Cordell and guest Danny Fingeroth continue their journey discussing the life of the famed comic book writer. Fingeroth, former Marvel editor and author of the Stan Lee autobiography, “A Marvelous Life: The Amazing Story of Stan Lee” joins Mr. Cordell on the show to discuss Lee’s storied career in the comic and entertainment industry. From humble beginnings as...

In the latest episode of Life’s Third Act, host Joe Cordell discusses the life, times, and estate of the godfather of comic books, Stan Lee. Joining the program is Danny Fingeroth, pop culture historian, veteran Marvel editor of Spiderman, and the author of “A Marvelous Life: The Amazing Story of Stan Lee.” Together, the two delve deep into the legacy of the man who brought us classic superheroes...

Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell and co-host Jill Albers are joined by Tom Buchholz, owner of Buchholz Mortuaries in St. Louis. Mr. Buchholz discusses the benefits of a pre-paid funeral plan, average funeral costs, and the Buchholz Planning Checklist. He also touches on the world of mortuaries, from the most unusual request he’s had in his career to what it’s like owning the family business. If you have a...

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

In part two of the Buddy Holly story, Joe Cordell discusses Buddy Holly’s legacy and the legal circumstances of his estate after his tragic death. When Holly died intestate (without a will) in 1959, his wife Maria Elena Santiago-Holly was deemed the sole heir-at-law by the court. Santiago-Holly wasn’t legally obligated to share the estate with her late-husband’s family but she decided to anyways....

In the latest episode of Life’s Third Act, host Joe Cordell takes a deep dive into the life of a musician take far too soon, Buddy Holly. Despite his career lasting only about 18 months, Holly left a legacy on rock and roll music and inspired artists such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, and many others. Holly’s death was dubbed “The Day The Music Died” referring to February 3, 1959,...

In the latest episode of Life’s Third Act, host Joe Cordell discusses the life and times of one of the most influential songwriters of the 20th century, John Lennon. Today he is best remembered as a founding member of The Beatles and for the profound mark he left on modern music and culture. Lennon was tragically assassinated on December 8, 1980, while on the cusp of a career comeback. His death s...

In part two of the John Belushi story, Joe Cordell delves into the legal circumstances behind the Belushi estate. Though Belushi passed away in 1982, it wouldn’t be the last time his name would make headlines. Eight years after his death, Belushi’s widow Judith Jacklin, remarried to Victor Pisano in 1990 only to divorce in 2010. Though the couple had a prenuptial agreement, the late comedian’s int...

In the latest episode of Life’s Third Act, host Joe Cordell discusses the life and times of one of comedy’s biggest stars that was taken far too soon, John Belushi. Belushi was a breakout comic on Saturday Night Live and his work pioneered comedy for the latter half of the 20th century. Belushi blended comedy with pop music in projects like The Blues Brothers which he formed with SNL alum, Dan Akr...

For part two of the Maurice Gibb story, Joe Cordell delves into the latter half of the late Bee Gee’s life as well as his unfortunate death in 2003. Later in life, Maurice struggled with alcoholism after a serious incident with his family in 1991, but it would be a fateful medical emergency in 2003 that would do the legend in. In this installment Mr. Cordell dives into the Gibb estate, what forced...

In the latest episode of Life’s Third Act, host Joe Cordell discusses the life, music, and legal legacy of pop legend, Maurice Gibb. Maurice was one-third of the Bee Gees and helped produce some of the most iconic tracks of the disco era. Together, the three Gibb brothers sold over 200 million records worldwide. Later in life, Maurice struggled with alcoholism after a serious incident in 1991, but...

On the latest episode of Life’s Third Act, Joe Cordell uncovers another chapter in the Glen Campbell estate story with Campbell’s son, Travis who was disinherited from the country star’s will in 2006. In this tell-all, Travis and his wife Trudy discuss his siblings, his mother Billie Jean’s story, the divorce trial, as well as his relationship with Glen. It’s an in-depth look into the life and tim...

On part two of the Mickey Rooney story, Joe Cordell gets into the later career, legacy, and estate of the classic actor. Despite a colorful filmography, a look into Rooney’s assets and estate paints a tragic picture of the star’s life. So how did Rooney go from millions to a net worth of $18,000? In 2011, at age 90, Rooney testified before Congress that he was the victim of elder abuse and financi...

In the latest episode of Life’s Third Act, host Joe Cordell delves into the legacy of one of America’s most prolific actors of all time, Mickey Rooney. Having starred in over 300 pictures, ranging from the silent film era to the digital age, Rooney is remembered for his lifetime of work and memorable performances. Notable films include “Boys Town”, “The Black Stallion”, and “Night at The Museum”....

For part two of the Alan Thicke story, Joe Cordell journeys into the actor’s later career and his $40 million estate. It was no secret in the family that Thicke had spotted his third wife, model Tanya Callau, while hosting a TV show in Miami in 2005. Callau may have stayed with Thicke until his death in 2016, but that didn’t stop his children from taking his widow to court. https://www.youtube.com...

For the latest episode of Life’s Third Act, host Joe Cordell delves into the life of an 80s television icon, Alan Thicke. Known for his role as Dr. Jason Seaver on the sitcom “Growing Pains” Thicke lived a busy life in the world of broadcast. From humble beginnings as a disc jockey, he later became a household name on numerous programs such as “The Barry Manilow Special,” and starred in films like...

On part two of the Glen Campbell story, Joe Cordell journeys into the country singer’s late career, legacy, and estate value. Things however were not all gentle crooning in the Campbell family. In 2006, Campbell made the decision to exclude three of his eight children from his will. When the singer passed away 12 years later, the three disinherited children filed a legal challenge against the Camp...

In the latest episode of Life’s Third Act, host Joe Cordell dives into the life of country music legend, Glen Campbell. Born into a poor, rural family, Campbell went from picking cotton in his native state of Arkansas as a boy to selling more than 45 million records worldwide. Known for countless hits like “Gentle on My Mind,” “Wichita Lineman,” and “Rhinestone Cowboy,” Campbell was a household na...

For part two on the Jerry Lewis story, Life’s Third Act host, Joe Cordell dives into the latter half of Lewis’ career and the controversy surrounding his $50 million estate. Today Jerry Lewis is remembered as a comedy favorite, but things were not all laughs and grins for the Lewis family. After his death in 2017, Lewis made headlines when it was revealed that he disinherited not only his first wi...

In the latest episode of Life’s Third Act, host Joe Cordell discusses the life of classic American comedian and entertainer, Jerry Lewis. Nicknamed “The King of Comedy”, Lewis got his big break working alongside the legendary Dean Martin as the comedy duo act, Martin, and Lewis. Lewis’ solo career was also successful, achieving acclaim on film, television and in the world of philanthropy. In 1966...

For part two on the Frank Sinatra story, Life’s Third Act host, Joe Cordell focuses on the iconic singer’s later career successes, his legacy, and the looming family feud that surrounded the $300 million Sinatra fortune. As the world grieved Sinatra’s passing in 1998, the battle for his estate was just beginning. Unfortunately, things weren’t all easy listening for the Sinatra children, who had de...

In the latest episode of Life’s Third Act, host Joe Cordell dives into the life of a true American icon, singer and entertainer, Frank Sinatra. The son of Italian immigrants, Sinatra rose to fame thanks to his larger-than-life voice and talent for acting. The man with the golden voice defined 20th century music with classic albums like “The Voice of Frank Sinatra” and “Songs for Swingin’ Lovers” a...

In the latest episode of Life’s Third Act host, Joe Cordell dives into the life of one of America’s most thrilling novelists, Tom Clancy. A New York Times best-selling author of countless military and espionage thrillers, Clancy’s novels are known for their technical details and Cold War setting. Originally moonlighting as a writer while he worked as an insurance salesman, Clancy penned “The Hunt...