Having Fun with Death & Taxes

Having Fun with Death & Taxes

by Having Fun with Death & Taxes

Parenting Entertainment News

Season 1

Episode 06: Marilyn Monroe’s 3-Page Will: The High Cost of a “Simple” Estate Plan

In this episode of Having Fun with Death & Taxes, attorney Leslie Marenco and estate planning attorney Alina Nuñez unpack the shocking reality behind Marilyn Monroe’s estate. Her entire legacy, later valued at more than $200 million, was governed by a three-page “simple” will. They explore how inadequate estate planning led to public probate, years of legal complications, and a surprising outcome that ultimately directed Monroe’s fortune to someone she never even met. This episode is a powerful reminder of how poor planning can derail even the most iconic legacy.

Episode 05: Lisa Marie Presley’s 100 Million Dollar Estate Planning Disaster

Lisa Marie Presley was born into about $100 million in Elvis Presley's wealth. Decades later, that fortune was drained mainly. Court filings describe a long slide into debt, unpaid taxes, and high-stakeswith her former business manager. At her death, she reportedly owed more than 1 million dollars to the IRS and millions more to other creditors. In this episode, attorney Leslie Marenco and guest Ernie Martinez break down what really happened with Lisa Marie’s trust, the lawsuit over alleged mismanagement, and the family fight over a 2016 trust amendment that shifted control to her daughter Riley Keough. You will learn how trustee oversight works, why small technical mistakes in trust amendments can spark big court battles, and how to protect generational wealth and landmarks like Graceland from predators and preventable legal mistakes.

Episode 04: How Elvis’s Estate Survived a Fake Foreclosure | Graceland Explained

In this episode, host Leslie Marenco sits down with Estate Planning Attorney Ernie Martinez to explore what went wrong with Elvis Presley’s estate. We break down how a flawed Will and Testamentary Trust left the estate vulnerable, how Priscilla Presley turned things around with a professional team, and why a Revocable Living Trust is essential to protect your wealth from family disputes, predators, and excessive taxes. See show notes for definitions and the episode toolkit.

Episode 03: Casey Kasem’s Estate Battle: When Family Trusts Go Wrong

The iconic voice behind America’s Top 40 and Shaggy from Scooby-Doo, Casey Kasem, had an $80 million estate, yet he signed his medical directives at a UPS Store. That single decision set off a Probate Disaster involving Guardianship Litigation, a missing persons report, shocking Elder Isolation, and the infamous raw steak lawsuit. In episode 3 of Having Fun with Death & Taxes, host Leslie Marenco and special guest Alex Gonzalez take a deep dive into the Casey Kasem Estate, revealing how a Celebrity Estate can spiral when Blended Family conflict, conservatorship battles, and unclear legal planning collide. Join us as we expose the real cost of cutting corners on legal counsel and why every family needs strong Incapacity Protocols in place before it’s too late.

Episode 02: Family Conflict Over an Estate: Tom Petty’s Legal Fight Explained

The fight for Tom Petty's music catalog wasn't over his money, it was over three simple words: "equal participation." Join attorney Leslie Marenco and guest invited Manuel Rodriguez, as they discuss how Petty's extensive 80-page Trust failed to define voting rights, pitting his widow against his daughters in a high-stakes Blended Family Probate Nightmare. We expose how one ambiguous sentence can turn a secure estate into a multi-million dollar legal disaster, and why precision in your Revocable Trust is the only way to protect your legacy.

Episode 01: Family Business Succession Explained: Lessons from Jerry Buss and the Lakers

Join us on this episode of the FWD&T as we dive into what really happened after Lakers owner Jerry Buss passed away. His estate plan was meant to keep the team in the family—but what unfolded was a front-row seat to the drama that can follow when trusts, succession plans, and family dynamics collide. We’re joined by our brilliant guest Kristina Wilson as we discuss: ✅ Why Jerry’s plan to divide the Lakers equally among his six kids sounded good—but didn’t go smoothly ✅How Jeanie Buss made the tough call to remove her brother from the team’s leadership ✅And what every business owner can take away from this real-life case This is one of those stories where estate planning, legacy, and family all go head-to-head—and we’re here to help you learn from it.

Episode 0: Having Fun with Death & Taxes: Intro

Having Fun with Death & Taxes: Intro

Episode 00: Having Fun with Death & Taxes: Disclaimer

Your Lawyer Disclaimer.

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