Life's Third Act

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...

Join Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell and special guest Shane O’Mara, Professor of Experimental Brain Research at Trinity College Dublin, on this episode of Life’s Third Act. They delve into Mr. O’Mara’s groundbreaking research and his book, “In Praise of Walking,” which explores the science behind walking and its numerous benefits. Discover how walking positively impac...

Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell and special guest Ben Pearce, President of Senior Living Consulting, are back for part two of their in-depth discussion on life plan communities, also known as continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs). In this episode, they continue their exploration of the advantages, disadvantages, and key considerations when selecting the right life plan community. Join them as th...

Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell is back this week continuing his discussion on life plan communities, also known as continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), featuring special guest Ben Pearce, published author and President of Senior Living Consulting which provides financial, development, marketing and operations consulting services to the healthcare field. Together Mr. Cordell and Mr. Pearce wal...

Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell and TuckerAllen estate planning attorney, Benjamin Zinkel, are back this week on Life’s Third Act to delve into the world of life plan communities, where all levels of living converge on a single campus. If you’ve ever wondered about the benefits of residing in a life plan community, this episode will answer all your questions. Discover how priority access to h...

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...

Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell and TuckerAllen estate planning attorney Benjamin Zinkel are back with episode 4 of our series on Exploring Revocable Trusts. Together they explore the integration of life insurance and tax-deferred assets with the trust corpus. They emphasize the benefits of designating your trust as the beneficiary for life insurance policies and tax-deferred accounts like IRAs and 401(k...

Welcome to part three of our Exploring Revocable Trusts series. In this episode, Attorney-CPA, Joe Cordell, and TuckerAllen estate planning attorney, Benjamin Zinkel delve into the concept of the trust corpus, demystifying its significance within the realm of estate planning. In this enlightening discussion, Mr. Cordell and Mr. Zinkel provide insights on effectively defining and managing the trust...

Welcome back to part two of exploring beneficiaries within revocable trusts with Attorney-CPA, Joe Cordell, and TuckerAllen estate planning attorney, Benjamin Zinkel. In this continuation, the pair delve deeper into the complexities of estate planning, further focusing on beneficiaries within the realm of revocable trusts. Join them as they explore advanced strategies and practical considerations...