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Having Fun with Death & Taxes

Having Fun with Death & Taxes

by Having Fun with Death & Taxes

Parenting Entertainment News

Season 9

Episode 09: The $47 Million Estate Planning Mistake That Cost a Family the Miami Dolphins

In this episode of Having Fun with Death & Taxes, attorneys Leslie Marenco and Saidin Hernandez break down how NFL owner Joe Robbie’s outdated estate plan triggered family warfare, IRS pressure, and a fire sale of a legendary franchise. Joe Robbie built the Miami Dolphins and privately financed their stadium, but his 1980s-era estate plan relied on a basic pour-over will and revocable trust. When he died unexpectedly, his family inherited a liquidity crisis they could not escape.

Season 1

The Graceland Foreclosure Fraud: Real Estate Scams & Forged Deeds

How do fraudsters almost steal Graceland? A fabricated $3.8M loan and a forged Florida notary signature. When Lisa Marie Presley passed away, her estate was immediately targeted by an audacious real estate scam. It highlighted a terrifying reality for property owners: simply recording a deed at the county office doesn't actually mean you own the property. In the latest episode of Having Fun with Death & Taxes, estate planning attorney Leslie Marenco sits down with real estate and bankruptcy attorney Cristina Ortiz to break down this massive real estate fraud.

Tony Hsieh's $500 Million Mess: Sticky Notes and a Mystery Will

The visionary founder of Zappos left behind a billion-dollar legacy, but his business dealings were managed by 1,000 sticky notes and a "magical" will that appeared out of thin air from Pakistan. In this episode of Having Fun with Death & Taxes, estate planning attorneys Leslie Marenco and George Alvarez unpack the "mayhem, chaos, and foolishness" of the Tony Hsieh estate. In this episode, you’ll learn: ✅ Why relying on post-its for business promises leads to a $100 million pile of creditors' claims. ✅ How a lack of formal planning led to astronomical attorney's fees while the estate sits in legal limbo. ✅ The legal line between being an eccentric billionaire and lacking the mental capacity to sign a legal document. Protect your legacy from becoming total mayhem: Whether you're an attorney, a founder, a Miami business owner, or the head of your family, this episode reveals why 30 minutes with a professional is the only way to avoid years of costly litigation.

Michael Jackson Estate vs. IRS

The IRS claimed Michael Jackson's estate owed $700 million in taxes and penalties . Conversely, the estate famously claimed his "Image and Likeness" was only worth $2,105 . In this episode of Having Fun with Death & Taxes, Estate Planning Attorney Leslie Marenco and guest tax lawyer Francois Blanco break down the decade-long legal "shit show" that changed celebrity estate law and wealth preservation forever. In this episode, you’ll learn: ✅The Date of Death Rule ✅The Foreseeability Trap ✅The "Smell Test" ✅Tax Efficiency Secrets Don't let your legacy become a cautionary tale. Whether you are managing intellectual property or a local business, professional succession planning is the difference between a growing fortune and a government audit.

Heath Ledger’s Outdated Will Disaster

Heath Ledger left behind a legendary cinematic legacy and a posthumous Oscar, but his estate plan was stuck in the past. Having written his will five years before his death, the Dark Knight star completely omitted his daughter, Matilda, leaving his $20 million fortune in a state of legal limbo. In this episode of Having Fun with Death & Taxes, estate planning attorney Leslie Marenco and guest Gilberto Matute break down the "accidental" mess left behind by one of Hollywood’s brightest stars.

The $80M Under the Couch: Aretha Franklin’s Estate Disaster

The Queen of Soul left behind an $80 million estate, but it came in a "holographic" will hidden in her living room. In this episode of Having Fun with Death & Taxes, estate planning attorney Leslie Marenco and guest Nicole Martins break down the shocking reality of probate litigation. Aretha’s story reveals how even a global icon's planning can turn into a "dumpster fire" of legal battles and unintended consequences. If you don’t want your family fighting for five years over a notebook found under a cushion, Leslie and Nicole are sharing key lessons from this probate nightmare to help you build a plan that actually protects what matters the most. Protect your legacy from becoming a cautionary tale: Whether you're an attorney or looking to protect your family, this episode reveals why 30 minutes with a professional is the only way to avoid years of family warfare and polarized relationships.

U-Haul's Succession Planning Nightmare: A Billion-Dollar Feud

When U-Haul patriarch Leonard Shoen casually gifted shares to his children, he sparked a decades-long corporate bloodbath and a staggering $1.5 billion legal war. In this episode of Having Fun with Death and Taxes, Estate Planning Attorney Leslie Marenco and Corporate Attorney Kristina Wilson, break down the chaotic, multi-generational legal war behind the U-Haul empire. The family drama escalated into a hostile takeover, a boardroom coup, and even a tragic murder featured on Unsolved Mysteries. A must-listen for anyone scaling a family business, this episode covers exactly what not to do, including: ✋ The massive risks of gifting company shares without strong operating agreements. ✋ The dangers of "Frankensteining" legal documents from the internet to save a few bucks. ✋ How to use strategic estate planning to protect founders and restrict non-working family members to non-voting stock.

Episode 10: Howard Hughes Died With No Will — 600 People Tried to Steal His Billions

In this episode of Having Fun with Death & Taxes, estate planning attorney Leslie Marenco and family law attorney Vanessa Vasquez de Lara break down one of the most chaotic and bizarre celebrity probate battles: the estate of Howard Hughes. When the billionaire aviator and serial entrepreneur died in 1976 at the age of 70, he left behind no known will. What followed was an absolute legal circus, with over 600 people coming forward to claim a piece of the billion-dollar pie. This episode explores the wild intersection of family law and estate planning, diving deep into the legal realities of secret marriages, the dangers of international "quickie" divorces, and the strict burdens of proof for common-law relationships. It reveals how relying on verbal promises instead of an updated estate plan can leave surviving partners completely unprotected and facing immediate eviction

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.

Episode 07: James Brown’s $100M Estate Nightmare

In this episode of Having Fun with Death & Taxes, estate planning attorney Leslie Marenco and family law attorney Veronica Lopez-Calleja break down one of the most complex and prolonged celebrity estate disputes in history: the estate of the “Godfather of Soul,” James Brown. After Brown’s death in 2006, an estate valued at approximately $100 million became entangled in 16 years of litigation involving an invalid marriage, disputed paternity, outdated estate planning documents, and repeated trustee battles. This episode explores a rare trifecta of legal chaos—pretermitted heirs, unresolved marital status, and fiduciary failures—and reveals how relying on basic or outdated documents can trigger years of lawsuits, family conflict, and delayed legacies.

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