Category: Celebrity Estates

Ep 49 – Clare Bronfman: Building Generational Wealth that Matters With Dan Griffith

Ep 49 – Clare Bronfman: Building Generational Wealth that Matters With Dan Griffith

In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, is joined by Dan Griffith, senior vice president and director of wealth strategy at Huntington Private Bank.

Today’s celebrity example is brought to you by Clare Bronfman. We discuss Clare’s journey into using generational wealth to fund a company with negative ties. We use this infamous case to dissect how financial advisors can assist clients in building generational wealth that matters.

Dan discusses:

  • Why educating the next generation about money is imperative
  • Strategies that can be used to put money into the hands of the next generation
  • How advisors can educate clients about the risks involved with generational wealth
  • The importance of having financial conversations with your family 
  • And more

Connect With Dan Griffith:

Connect With David Lenok:

About Our Guest:

Dan is an experienced attorney with a passion for helping families and business owners find solutions to their planning challenges. Dan develops insights for clients and writes and speaks about asset protection, estate tax issues and business succession planning. 

Ep 48 – Hugh Hefner: Plan it and Communicate it –– With Robert Wermuth and Kevin Donohue

Ep 48 – Hugh Hefner: Plan it and Communicate it –– With Robert Wermuth and Kevin Donohue

In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, speaks with Rob Wermuth, senior partner and Kevin Donohue, partner at the Pennsylvania-based firm Legacy Planning about the intricacies of estate planning. 

Today’s celebrity estate example is brought to us by Playboy Magazine founder and figurehead Hugh Hefner. Through the use of trusts, prenups and taking care of business deals during his life, Hefner left his family and his legacy in a very good place to move on from following his death.

You will learn:

  • How advisors can help clients take advantage of estate planning-focused transactions during their lifetime
  • How planning around a family business in your estate helps avoid the most common conflicts that often arise
  • The benefits of allowing your assets to grow outside of your estate
  • And more!

Hugh Hefner knew what he wanted, and made sure everyone on his team knew it too! Tune in for more details!

Resources: WealthManagement.com | Legacy Planning

Ep 47 – Aretha Franklin: Loose Ends Can Unravel Your Estate –– With Alex Weingarten

Ep 47 – Aretha Franklin: Loose Ends Can Unravel Your Estate –– With Alex Weingarten

In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, is joined by Alex Weingarten, partner at Venable LLP, where he is a commercial trial lawyer who represents clients in all facets of entertainment, probate and business litigation.

Today’s celebrity example is Aretha Franklin; we discussed her estate in episode 8 and at that time it was believed that she had left no will, therefore leaving her estate to be divided equally amongst her children. Since then, new developments have surfaced. While cleaning out Franklin’s home, they have found four separate wills, three handwritten and one typed but not signed.   

Now the battle ensues. Brother fighting brother trying to determine how the estate will be divided. Litigators have been contacted to solve this puzzle. The trial begins in August.

Today, Alex and David discuss why communication is key to your happily ever after.

You will learn:

  • Alex’s thoughts on how this situation will play out in court
  • How good communication helps keep the peace
  • What estate litigation really looks like
  • And more!

Tune in to help your clients understand the importance of communicating your intentions verbally as well as in written form to keep your estate and your family intact long after you are gone.

Resources: WealthManagement.com | Venable, LLP | Episode 8

Ep 46 – Advising Entertainment Industry Clients

Ep 46 – Advising Entertainment Industry Clients

David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, is joined by Jeff Fishman, founder and managing member of JSF Financial, a financial firm that specializes in working with high profile clients and those in the entertainment industry.

Unlike our other episodes focusing on the estates of celebrities who have passed, this episode is all about advising those who are still living, and working to manage their estates. David and Jeff talk about how having a career with unstable income flows can be tricky to navigate and plan for.

You will learn:

  • How and why someone would want to work with this niche market of clientele
  • What is meant by consistency of income
  • The tax implications of having inconsistent income
  • Why you need to be responsible to yourself first when it comes to your finances
  • And more!

Listen now to prepare for the ups and downs that come with having an unstable income source.

Resources: WealthManagement.com | JSF Financial

Ep 45 – Larry King: Get Your Financial House In Order –– With Megan Gorman

Ep 45 – Larry King: Get Your Financial House In Order –– With Megan Gorman

In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, speaks with returning guest Megan Gorman of Chequers Financial Management about the issues surrounding the celebrity estate of none other than legendary talk show host Larry King. 

There was an estate plan, multiple children from multiple marriages, a holographic will written after filing for divorce, and then Larry’s untimely death due to COVID-19 in 2021. David and Megan could talk for days about this celebrity estate.  Listen in while they try to sort through this currently active family-court fight.

In this episode, you will learn:

  • What is a holographic will
  • How the state in which you live and die plays a vital role in how your estate is handled
  • What’s involved in differentiating between community properties and separate properties
  • The importance of documenting your intentions when divorcing
  • And more!

Get inspiration from Larry King’s story to get your house in order! 

Resources: WealthManagement.com | The Wealth Intersection | Chequers Financial Management

“Getting your house in order and reducing the confusion gives you more control over your life. Personal organization somehow releases or frees you to operate more effectively.” Larry King

Ep 44 – Chuck Berry: Be Intentional When It Comes To Taxes – with guest Damien Martin

Ep 44 – Chuck Berry: Be Intentional When It Comes To Taxes – with guest Damien Martin

Today, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, is joined by Damien Martin, tax partner at BKD CPAs and Advisors.

This episode focuses on the father of rock ‘n roll, Chuck Berry, the legendary musician who worked up into his 80’s, amassing a sizable estate upon his death in 2017 at the age of 90, despite his conviction of tax evasion in 1979. Berry was convicted of $110,000 in back taxes, and was sentenced to serve 4 months in jail and 1000 hours of community service.  

David and Damien delve deep into the reality of taxes and why communication and planning are the key to a successful financial future.

You will learn:

  • The tax planning issues advisors face with clients
  • How tax planning affects your retirement and how it can help to maximize your estate
  • How estate tax planning can assist your income tax planning
  • The importance of creating open communication with your whole team of advisors
  • And more!

Listen now and intentionally plan for the future!

Resources: WealthManagement.com | BKD CPAs and Advisors | Damien Martin

Ep 43 – Audrey Hepburn: When Secrets Destroy A Family–– With Dr. Denise Federer

Ep 43 – Audrey Hepburn: When Secrets Destroy A Family–– With Dr. Denise Federer

David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, is joined by Dr. Denise Federer, speaker, consultant, coach, psychologist, author, and founder of the Federer Performance Management Group (FPMG) as they discuss the impact of families not having those difficult conversations about their money and wealth.

This episode focuses on an icon from Hollywood’s Golden Age, the legendary Audrey Hepburn.  When Audrey passed in 1993, she left behind 2 sons – step brothers. As part of the estate, the two step brothers were to equally split the contents of a storage locker filled with old Hollywood memorabilia.  The feud over the items lasted 24 years, until they finally decided to allow a judge to decide how the locker would be divided.

David and Dr. Federer delve into how advisors can help their clients by being that trustworthy, outside party that is brave enough to force their clients to talk about generational money.

In this episode, you will learn:

  • Some of the most common causes of sibling rivalry and how advisors can help families avoid conflict
  • When parents should start talking to their children about their money 
  • Why fair doesn’t always mean equal
  • And more!

Listen now because it is not an accident to have adult children who work hard and have good values!

Resources: WealthManagement.com | FPMG  | Dr. Denise Federer LI

Ep 42 – Jack Cassidy: Loose Ends Can Unravel Your Estate –– With Christopher Melcher

Ep 42 – Jack Cassidy: Loose Ends Can Unravel Your Estate –– With Christopher Melcher

In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, is joined by Christopher Melcher, partner at Walzer Melcher LLP where they focus on complex family law litigation and premarital agreements of high net worth individuals.

Today’s celebrity example is Jack Cassidy; an American actor and singer known for his works in theatre, tv and film.   

Having married and divorced twice and fathering children in both marriages, most notable being David and Shaun Cassidy, Jack’s estate plan was for the most part very well executed.  Except for the small “loose end” by way of a life insurance policy that Jack nor his team followed up on when completing his divorce paperwork.  An 8 year legal battle between ex-spouse #2 and the estate then ensued over a $50,000 life insurance policy.

Now, Christopher and David discuss why you must ensure that you dot your I’s, cross your T’s, just finish the work.

In this episode, you will learn:

  • What are some lessons learned for advisors, from Jack Cassidy’s unfortunate circumstances
  • Are premarital agreements good or bad for a relationship
  • What are some other typical “loose ends” that often get forgotten when finalizing an estate plan
  • And more!

Tune in to help your clients understand, you cannot win the race if you do not cross the finish line!

Resources: WealthManagement.com | Walzer Melcher LLP

Ep 41 – Philip Seymour Hoffman – Don’t Delay When It Comes To Your Estate Plan – With Megan Gorman

Ep 41 – Philip Seymour Hoffman – Don’t Delay When It Comes To Your Estate Plan – With Megan Gorman

In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, is joined once again by Megan Gorman, founding partner of Chequers Financial Management.

Today’s celebrity example is Philip Seymour Hoffman, American actor, director and producer, and father of three children with longtime girlfriend, Mimi.

At the time of his death, Philip Seymour Hoffman’s only estate documentation was a will drafted by his real estate lawyer/CPA (not someone specializing in estate planning) and it mentions a trust set up for his eldest son.  Insistent that his children were not to become “trust fund kids” Seymour left the remaining part of the estate to his girlfriend.  

A Girlfriend not a wife. A Trust for one child not all three. A will that was over a decade old.  What could go wrong?  As David and Megan unpack this celebrity estate, you will hear how this was a case of missed opportunities for Philip Seymour Hoffman and his advisors. 

In this episode, you will learn:

  • The importance of updating financial documents with all life events; new child, marriage, divorce etc.
  • How to ensure family affairs stay private after your gone
  • Reasons to be aware of certain tax implications when dealing with non-spouses
  • Remember to include any tangible assets in your plan; who gets Oscar?
  • And more!

Tune in to understand why you need to force the issue when it comes to ensuring your clients not only finalize their estate plans but keep them current!

Resources:  WealthManagement.com | Chequers Financial | Megan Gorman LinkedIn

Ep 40 – Michael Jackson: Creating A Thriller of An Estate Plan –– With Brian Weiner

Ep 40 – Michael Jackson: Creating A Thriller of An Estate Plan –– With Brian Weiner

In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, speaks with Brian Weiner, Founder and Managing Partner of Audent Family Wealth Advisors. As managing partner, Brian leads the family offices service program, CIO Platform and next generation education program.

This episode focuses on world famous singer/songwriter, dancer, and the king of pop himself Michael Jackson. At his untimely death, his estate was left mainly to his children via pour-over trusts that also came with a debt of over $500 million, mostly in taxes. In large, due to the great work of his executors, the estate has earned over $2 billion since his death.

David and Brian discuss all the tools that can be utilized by the wealthy and those with complex estates in order to ease debt and tax burdens for those inheriting the estate. 

In this episode, you will learn:

  • What an entity is and how can it be utilized within an estate plan
  • What gift tax is and how to use gift tax exemptions
  • What it means to manage an estate for success
  • Why next generation education is so important in estate planning
  • And more!

Tune in to learn the importance of building a flexible plan to allow for generational changes to minimize loss. 

Resources: WealthManagement.com | Audent Family Wealth Advisors