Life's Third Act

Get ready for an in-depth exploration of Michael Crichton’s estate with Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell and researcher Marlea Parson. Known for creating Jurassic Park, Crichton’s posthumous tale is equally intriguing. Together the pair delve into the complexities of his $175 million fortune after his sudden 2008 demise, involving messy marriages, a son born post-will, and a court clash betwee...

Join Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell and Life’s Third Act researcher, Marlea Parson, in a deep dive into the estate planning of the late James Gandolfini. In this episode, they explore the complexities of the $70 million estate, the hefty tax implications, and the public and media reactions to his will and trust structures. Delve into the controversial aspects, missed opportunities, and the broader...

Join Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell and Life’s Third Act researcher, Marlea Parson, as they continue to unravel the complex and tragic story of Georgian and Walker Patterson Inman III, heirs to the vast Doris Duke fortune in Part 2 of this saga. In Part 2 they’ll explore what came to be for the twins after their father’s death, including a custody battle between their biological mother...

Join Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell and Life’s Third Act researcher, Marlea Parson, as they unravel the complex and tragic story of Georgia and Walker Patterson Inman III, heirs to the vast Doris Duke fortune. In this episode, explore the challenges of immense wealth, family dysfunction, and the lasting impact on the twins’ lives. From troubled childhoods to legal battles, financial struggle...

Join Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell and Life’s Third Act researcher, Marlea Parson, in a riveting discussion on the life, career, and complex legacy of Sonny Bono. From his humble beginnings in Detroit to his rise as a songwriter and iconic performer alongside Cher, Sonny’s journey unfolds with unexpected twists and turns. Explore Sonny’s ventures into politics, his successful congress...

We’re back with part 2 of our exploration of Casey Kasem’s final years. Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell and Life’s Third Act researcher, Marlea Parson, further discuss the conservatorship battle as Casey’s children sought control over his care, facing obstacles and dramatic events. They tell the story of the nationwide man-hunt for Casey Kasem, detailing how each family member han...

Explore the story of Casey Kasem’s final years and the ensuing legal battles in this two-part episode with Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell and Life’s Third Act researcher, Marlea Parson. Delve into the family dynamics, starting with Casey’s health challenges and the strained relationship that his children had with his second wife, Jean Kasem. Learn about the legal turmoil triggered by C...

Explore the life of Leona Helmsley, the renowned hotelier, with Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell and researcher Marlea Parson. In this episode, they delve into the details of Leona’s journey in the real estate industry, her legal challenges, and imprisonment. Together they examine Leona’s management style, leading to her infamous title, and the legal issues, including tax evasion, that impacte...

Join Joe Cordell, Attorney-CPA, and researcher Marlea Parson in discussing the late, great Philip Seymour Hoffman and his views on trusts and inheritance. Learn about the fascinating life of this acclaimed actor and the unexpected twists in his estate’s distribution. With an estate valued at over $35 million, Hoffman’s legacy was overshadowed by complex legal issues. Explore the conseq...

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...

Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell and researcher Marlea Parson, explore the story of Princess Diana and her Letter of Wishes in this episode of Life’s Third Act. Together, the pair discuss the life of one of the world’s most iconic figures, Princess Diana, and how her estate was handled upon her untimely passing. Learn about the role of her Last Will and Testament and the critical “Letter...

Join Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell and researcher Marlea Parson for an in-depth look into the life and legacy of Jimi Hendrix. Despite his legendary career, Hendrix left behind a complex legal situation by not having a will. Discover how intestacy laws placed control of his estate in the hands of his father, Al Hendrix, and the subsequent legal disputes, including contested wills and the management of...

Join Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell and Life’s Third Act researcher, Marlea Parson, as they unravel the legacy of Marlon Brando and the complexities surrounding his will. Brando, celebrated as one of America’s greatest actors, left behind a substantial estate upon his passing in 2004. In this episode, delve into the life of Marlon Brando, marked by marriages, children, and a dedication to so...

Join Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell and Life’s Third Act researcher, Marlea Parson, as they delve into the intriguing story of Howard Hughes and his lack of a will. Hughes, one of the wealthiest and most eccentric industrialists of his time, left behind a colossal estate when he passed away in 1976. Despite his immense wealth and influence in various industries, Hughes died intestate, setting the...

Join Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell and Life’s Third Act researcher, Marlea Parson, as they explore the story of Joe Robbie and his estate planning decisions. In this episode, the pair delve into the consequences of Robbie’s choices on his family and his legacy. Despite his achievements, Robbie’s estate plan fell short for a man of his wealth. As the founder of the Miami Dolphins, he h...

Join Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell as he explores a crucial aspect of retirement planning that often goes overlooked – preparing for the decline. In this episode, Mr. Cordell delves into an article written by Karen and Stephen Kreider Yoder. In their real-life experience pair were abruptly reminded that retirement won’t always be about carefree living. Their vacation accident in Tunisia ser...

Join Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell and Life’s Third Act researcher, Marlea Parson, as they unravel the story behind Aretha Franklin’s wills. In this episode, they explore the legal journey that began when two handwritten documents were discovered in the iconic singer’s suburban Detroit home. Join Mr. Cordell and Ms. Parson as they dive into the courtroom drama that pitted Aretha Frank...

Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell returns this week with Life’s Third Act researcher, Marlea Parson, to revisit the ongoing story of the Elvis Presley Estate. Together they rehash its history, take a look at all of the challenges and hands it’s been passed through, and discuss the current situation of this legendary trust, associated with the iconic King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Passing th...

In this episode, Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell provides practical guidance on the complex issue of family heirlooms in estate planning. Join Mr. Cordell as he explores the process of determining heirs, discussing fair distribution, and integrating these valued possessions into your estate plan. Mr. Cordell will share strategies to prevent conflicts and ensure your family’s history is preserved th...

Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell is back this week, with a new special guest, Life’s Third Act’s very own researcher, Marlea Parson. Today in their conversation, they dive into an eye-opening topic – the legacy of Heath Ledger and the lessons we can learn from his untimely passing. Join them as they explore the ins and outs of Heath Ledger’s estate plan, uncovering the unforeseen c...

Join in as Attorney-CPA, Joe Cordell, continues his conversation about costly estate planning mistakes in part 2 of Life’s Third Act. In this episode, we’ll dive deeper into the nuances of estate planning, focusing on practical advice and relatable stories to help you navigate the ins and outs of this crucial process. Discover the dos and don’ts that can make all the difference i...

Join us for part 1 of this Life’s Third Act episode, where Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell shares tips to avoid common estate planning mistakes. Discover the do’s and don’ts that will help to protect your family’s future and legacy. Learn about potential downfalls in creating wills, trusts, and other crucial estate planning documents. Mr. Cordell offers insights on minimizing esta...

Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell is joined by Laura McCoy, Director of Community Outreach for Home Instead Senior Care, to delve into the company’s mission of delivering compassionate care to individuals within the familiarity of their own homes. Ms. McCoy sheds light on the company’s inception, the wide range of services they offer, the specialized support they provide for those with Alzheime...

Join Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell in this insightful episode as we delve into the complexities of estate planning for blended families. Discover how to navigate unique challenges and balance the interests of spouses, children, and stepchildren. Learn the importance of open communication, setting shared goals, and addressing concerns to find common ground during the estate planning process. Explore str...

Special guest Shane O’Mara, Professor of Experimental Brain Research, and Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell are back this week for part 2 of their discussion on the science of walking. Continuing their exploration of Shane’s book, “In Praise of Walking,” they delve even deeper into the remarkable benefits walking offers. In this episode, discover the continued positive impact of wal...