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 Harold and Toni Henthorn — a Colorado man convicted of pushing his wife off a cliff — Joe unpacks how estate planning and inheritance law respond when the person named as your beneficiary is also your killer. What is the slayer rule? How do courts apply it? And what legal presumptions built into marriage — joint asset ownership, healthcare proxies, life insurance beneficiaries, even the right to control your remains — create dangerous vulnerabilities that most people never plan for? This isn’t just true crime. It’s a masterclass in why estate planning decisions you make today matter far more than you realize.

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 also unpack how probate delays, IRS battles, and ongoing litigation have impacted distributions to Michael Jackson’s children, and why even a highly successful estate can still create friction. Finally, we bring it back to practical estate planning lessons, including how to structure communication, choose the right trustee, and draft a trust that anticipates conflict before it happens. Stay tuned as we turn one of the most high-profile estates in history into actionable guidance you can use in your own planning.

Call 866-323-7529 or visit https://cordellcordell.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/ to schedule an estate planning consultation. For a limited time, mention LIFE’S THIRD ACT for 15% off eligible estate planning services!

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 uses Jackson’s estate as a real-world case study to explain how trusts actually function over time. From massive debt at the time of death to a dramatic financial turnaround, this episode explores how trusts operate not as static containers but as active, evolving entities that require strategy, management, and the right people in charge. Stay tuned for Part 2, where we dive deeper into the IRS battle and valuation disputes surrounding the estate.

Call 866-323-7529 or visit https://cordellcordell.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/ to schedule an estate planning consultation. For a limited time, mention LIFE’S THIRD ACT for 15% off eligible estate planning services!

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 shows how he made it happen—and what you can learn from it when planning your own estate.

Call 866-323-7529 or visit https://cordellcordell.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/ to schedule an estate planning consultation. For a limited time, mention LIFE’S THIRD ACT for 15% off eligible estate planning services!

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 trust, his approach offers a unique perspective on how to plan for life’s third act.

This episode explores what Duvall did right, what we can learn from his decisions, and why estate planning matters even when you don’t have direct heirs.

Call 866-323-7529 or visit https://cordellcordell.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/ to schedule an estate planning consultation. For a limited time, mention LIFE’S THIRD ACT for 15% off eligible estate planning services!

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 states weighed in, and the outcome ultimately came down to technical legal rules rather than the underlying facts. We also walk through what went wrong and what can be learned from it. This case highlights how relying on a will alone can create unintended consequences, how unclear or outdated documents can lead to costly litigation, and why proper estate planning can help families avoid court altogether. If you want to understand how these situations play out and how to protect your own family from similar issues, this is an episode worth watching.

Call 866-323-7529 or visit https://cordellcordell.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/ to schedule an estate planning consultation. For a limited time, mention LIFE’S THIRD ACT for 15% off eligible estate planning services!

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 that made this one of the most unusual celebrity estate cases in recent memory. Tune in next week for Part 2, where the story continues as the legal battle escalates even further, raising new questions about paternity, inheritance, and who ultimately walks away with the fortune.

Call 866-323-7529 or visit https://cordellcordell.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/ to schedule an estate planning consultation. For a limited time, mention LIFE’S THIRD ACT for 15% off eligible estate planning services!

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 Leona Helmsley. Along the way, he highlights what these stories can teach us about estate planning—from no-contest clauses and burial instructions to handwritten wills, trust planning, and how clear communication can help prevent family conflict.

Call 866-323-7529 or visit https://cordellcordell.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/ to schedule an estate planning consultation. For a limited time, mention LIFE’S THIRD ACT for 15% off eligible estate planning services!