Episode 08: Joan Rivers' $150M Estate: The Costly Domicile Mistake No One Talks About

In this episode of Having Fun with Death & Taxes, host Leslie Marenco and estate planning & tax attorney, Ivan Gomez break down one of the most expensive celebrity estate planning mistakes in history, the $150 million estate of Joan Rivers.

Known for her sharp wit and meticulous planning, Rivers appeared to have everything in place, even provisions for her beloved dogs. But a single contradictory line in her legal documents created a devastating tax vulnerability. By claiming New York residency while declaring California domicile, Joan Rivers unknowingly fell into what estate planners call the “domicile trap”, a mistake that can cost families millions.

This episode reveals what went wrong, why it matters, and how proper estate planning can help prevent the same outcome.