Life's Third Act

Chuck Norris is one of the most recognizable names in American culture — but behind the memes and the movies is a disciplined, methodical estate builder who built a $70 million legacy from almost nothing. In Part 1 of our three-part series, we trace how it started. Call 866-323-7529 or visit https://cordellcordell.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/ to schedule an estate planning consultation. For...

Welcome to another episode of Life’s Third Act. In our previous episode, we discussed the immediate steps to take following a loss. Today, we’re moving forward to address the complex legal and financial roadmap that follows—the practical, often overwhelming reality of stepping into the role of executor. Call 866-323-7529 or visit https://cordellcordell.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/ to schedu...

Losing a loved one is incredibly difficult, and the administrative burdens that follow can feel overwhelming. In this episode of Life’s Third Act, we move past the headlines to provide you with a practical, step-by-step guide on what to do immediately after someone passes away. From securing the premises and notifying the proper authorities to understanding the legal differences in state law...

In December 2019, a Colorado court entered a $6 million wrongful death judgment against Chris Watts — $3 million for Shanann and $1 million for each of his daughters. It was a default judgment. He didn’t even appear. In this second of two episodes on the Watts case, we examine the legal and financial aftermath of the murders — the wrongful death action, how Colorado’s intestate success...

In August 2018, Chris Watts confessed to murdering his pregnant wife Shanann and their two young daughters in Frederick, Colorado. It became one of the most watched true crime stories in American history. But we want to come at it from a different angle. What most people don’t know is that in the years leading up to the murders, Chris and Shanann Watts were drowning financially — a Chapter 7...

How did Kouri Richins manage to systematically drain over $500,000 from her husband’s estate despite Eric’s attempts to protect himself? In Part 2 of our deep dive, attorney and CPA Joe Cordell explores the financial fallout of the Kouri Richins case and the critical estate planning lessons we can learn from it. We analyze the complex reality of “financial infidelity” in a marriage. Fr...

Marriage is often called a “blind spot” for fraud. In the first part of our Kouri Richins deep dive, we explore how a $2 million secret debt, forged signatures, and a “Deal-Killer” known as financial infidelity created a motive for one of the most high-profile cases in recent Utah history. Joe Cordell, attorney and CPA, breaks down the “Marital Unity Paradox”—th...

Fotis Dulos took his own life before he could face a jury, but that didn’t end the legal battle. From defense attorneys fighting for their retainers to the application of the “Slayer Statute,” the Dulos case is a masterclass in how a “bad actor” can drain an estate’s value while the legal system slowly grinds away. Our Marriage, Murder, and Money (MMM) series co...

Jennifer Farber Dulos was a mother of five who disappeared without a trace during a high-stakes divorce. What followed was a $2.5 million legal battle that exposed the unique vulnerabilities of an estate in the midst of a family crisis. Our Marriage, Murder, and Money (MMM) series continues as we begin a deep dive into the tragic story of Fotis Dulos. In this opening installment, we explore how Je...

Harold Henthorn thought he had committed the perfect crime on federal land, but the law had other plans. What followed was a legal reckoning that utilized the “Slayer Statute” to ensure his $4.5 million motive would never be realized. In Part 3 of Marriage, Murder & Money, attorney and CPA Joe Cordell breaks down the Henthorn case from the inside — not as a crime story, but as a ca...

Harold Henthorn took his wife Toni on a hike in Rocky Mountain National Park — and came home alone. What followed was a $4.5 million battle that exposed every vulnerability in their estate plan. In Part 2 of Marriage, Murder & Money, attorney and CPA Joe Cordell breaks down the Henthorn case from the inside — not as a crime story, but as a case study in how estate law responds when your spouse...

What happens to your estate when your spouse is the one who killed you? This episode examines one of estate law’s darkest questions — and the answer will change how you think about everything you’ve signed. Attorney and CPA Joe Cordell opens a new mini-series exploring what happens to marital assets, life insurance, and inheritance rights when a spouse commits murder. Using the case of...

In Part 2 of this Life’s Third Act series, we continue breaking down the Michael Jackson estate and trust, focusing on the real-world conflicts that arise after the plan is in place. This episode explores the growing tension between trustees and beneficiaries, including disputes over spending, investment decisions like the upcoming biopic, and frustrations around communication and transparency. We...

More than 15 years after his death, Michael Jackson’s estate is still making headlines and still tied up in complex legal and financial issues. In Part 1 of this two-part series, Life’s Third Act breaks down how Jackson’s trust was structured, what went right, and what created ongoing complications. Joined by Mellany McDonald, Senior Litigation Attorney at Cordell & Cordell, the discussion use...

In this episode of Life’s Third Act, we wrap up our two-part series on Robert Duvall by breaking down how his estate plan actually worked in practice. From trusts and LLCs to intellectual property management and real estate, we walk through the structures he used to protect his wealth, minimize conflict, and carry out his long-term goals. If Part 1 covered what he wanted to accomplish, Part 2 show...

In this episode of Life’s Third Act, we take a closer look at the life and legacy of Robert Duvall —not just his career, but how he approached the later stages of life and estate planning. With an estimated $70 million estate and no children, Duvall made intentional decisions about privacy, wealth management, and long-term legacy. From living outside Hollywood to structuring his assets through a t...

In Part 2 of our deep dive into Anna Nicole Smith’s estate, we break down how one of the most complex and drawn-out legal battles in recent history finally came to a close. After years of litigation involving the estate of J. Howard Marshall, the case expanded into disputes over paternity, burial rights, and a deeply flawed will that created even more legal chaos. Multiple courts across different...

In this episode of Life’s Third Act, John Sauter breaks down the life, death, and legal aftermath of Anna Nicole Smith. From her marriage to Texas billionaire J. Howard Marshall to the probate fight, bankruptcy case, and Supreme Court battle that followed, this story touches nearly every corner of estate law. Part one explores the family dynamics, estate planning decisions, and courtroom conflicts...

In this episode of Life’s Third Act, Cordell & Cordell Senior Estate Planning Attorney John Sauter takes a look at five more unusual and fascinating estate plans. This is a continuation of a previous episode where we covered five other strange wills, and today John breaks down five more real-world examples, including Gene Roddenberry, Tennessee Williams, Marlon Brando, Aretha Franklin, and Leo...

In Part 2 of our discussion on Steve Irwin, we focus on what happened to his estate and conservation mission after his sudden death at age 44. When the face of a business or nonprofit is gone overnight, the real challenge begins. How do you keep operations running? Where does liquidity come from? And is a will alone enough to protect the surviving spouse and children? In this episode of Life&#8217...

What really happened with Steve Irwin’s estate planning? The internet often suggests his plan fell short, but the full story is more nuanced. In Part 1 of this two-part discussion, Life’s Third Act takes a closer look at the legacy of Steve Irwin and the estate planning lessons business owners and families can learn from his story. While his mission-driven approach to conservation built an extraor...

In this solo episode of Life’s Third Act, senior estate planning attorney John Sauter breaks down the essentials of a Healthcare Power of Attorney and why it plays a critical role in protecting your wishes if you’re ever unable to speak for yourself. He explains how key documents like a healthcare POA, HIPAA release, and living will work together to guide medical decisions, designate a trusted adv...

Explore five of the strangest wills on record, from Jeremy Bentham’s “auto-icon” still attending meetings in London to a Portuguese aristocrat who picked beneficiaries straight from the phone book. Attorney CPA Joe Cordell and Senior Estate Planning Attorney John Sauter unpack the real legal lessons behind these odd stories, including what courts will (and will not) enforce, why vague language can...

In this episode of Life’s Third Act, senior estate planning attorney John Sauter breaks down the financial power of attorney and why it matters while you are still alive. Learn what a financial POA is, how a durable POA works, and what can happen if you do not have one in place, including the court process for conservatorships or guardianships. John also covers how to choose the right agent, why b...

How do trusts actually work once they’re created? In this episode of Life’s Third Act, we break down how revocable trusts function in real life, what it means to fund a trust, how assets are managed while you’re alive, and what happens if something is left outside the trust. We also address common misconceptions about cost, complexity, and who trusts are really for, helping you understand whether...