Tag: Estate Planning
Celebrity Estates: Anne Heche and the Roles of Trustees and Administrators in an Estate

Celebrity Estates: Anne Heche and the Roles of Trustees and Administrators in an Estate

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Anne Heche was an actress known for her roles in a variety of genres in film, television and theater, receiving numerous accolades. On her tragic death in August 2022, Heche’s son Homer and her former partner James Tupper fought in court over who would be her estate administrator and guardian of her youngest son Atlas. 

In this episode, David Lenok is joined by Benazeer “Benny” Roshan, Partner at Greenberg Glusker, in differentiating the roles of trustee and administrator for an estate. They focus on how the court typically handles such roles and what their respective responsibilities and duties are.

Benny discusses:

  • The benefits and detriments of probate;
  • Who should be an executor or a trustee;
  • The difference in responsibilities between trustees and administrators for estates;
  • And more

Connect With Benny Roshan:

Connect With David Lenok:

About Our Guest:

For over 15 years, Benny has successfully represented a wide range of fiduciaries and beneficiaries in disputes involving trusts, fiduciary appointments, accountings, removal, and surcharge. Benny is recognized by Chambers and Partners in their High Net Worth Guide for 2021 and 2022. In 2018, the Daily Journal named Benny one of the Top 40 Lawyers Under 40 in the State of California.
68. Conrad Hilton and Advising First Generation Wealth Creators

68. Conrad Hilton and Advising First Generation Wealth Creators

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Conrad Hilton got his start in hospitality at his family’s general store in the New Mexico Territory. Years later, he established the largest hotel chain in the world, Hilton Hotels. After his death, Conrad left much of his estate to the Conrad Hilton Foundation — until his son decided to contest the will.

In this episode, David Lenok is joined by David Bokman, Managing Director and Head of Family Office Resource at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, and Andrea Levine-Sanft, Managing Director and Co-Head of the Wealth and Estate Planning Strategy, in discussing first generation wealth management in comparison to inherited wealth.

David and Andrea discusses:

  • What makes financial planning for first generation wealth creators unique;
  • How generational wealth is passed down;
  • The major problems in creating a financial plan for first generational wealth;
  • The importance of communication between financial professionals;
  • And more.

Connect with Andrea Levine-Sanft:

Connect With David Bokman:

Connect With David Lenok:

About Our Guests:

David Bokman is a Managing Director and the Head of Family Office Resources for Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. Family Office Resources provides ultra high net worth clients a virtual family office experience, with world-class, comprehensive services including family governance and wealth education, philanthropy, estate planning, trust services, single family office advisory and lifestyle advisory.

Andrea Levine-Sanft is Managing Director and Co-Head of the Wealth and Estate Planning Strategy.  Andrea was formerly an Estate Planning Strategist in Morgan Stanley’s Private Wealth Management Division. Andrea advised Morgan Stanley’s ultra high net worth clients and their advisors on complex gift, estate and income tax planning matters.
64. Pat Bowlen: Creating An Estate Plan Before Being Forced Out

64. Pat Bowlen: Creating An Estate Plan Before Being Forced Out

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Pat Bowlen was an American lawyer and partial owner of the Denver Broncos, along with his two brothers and sister. He served as the Broncos CEO until July 2014, when he stepped down due to progressive effects of Alzheimer’s disease, and passed away in 2019. His estate plan was unique due to the family trust in place, with the three trustees taking over in 2014 with the sole purpose of determining the next owner of the team.

In this episode, David Lenok is joined by Dan Griffith, senior vice president and director of wealth strategy at Huntington Private Bank, to review the estate planning of Pat Bowlen and how the trust came into effect. He reveals why business owners are forced out more often than retire and how to choose the best advisors to address your estate planning needs.

Dan discusses:

  • Why choosing a new owner for the Broncos caused issues among Pat’s descendants
  • How choosing trustees before you are incapable benefits your estate plan
  • The importance of choosing trustworthy and good advisors for an estate plan
  • Why it is difficult to simply retire as a business owner

Connect With Dan Griffith:

Connect With David Lenok:

About Our Guest:

Dan Griffith is an experienced attorney with a passion for helping families and business owners find solutions to their planning challenges.
Ep 60 – Audrey Hepburn: When Secrets Destroy A Family

Ep 60 – Audrey Hepburn: When Secrets Destroy A Family

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Encore Presentation

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

Ep 59 – Philip Seymour Hoffman – Don’t Delay When It Comes To Your Estate Plan – With Megan Gorman

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In this episode’s encore presentation, 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 55 – Britney Spears: How The Jump Conservatorship Skips Estate Planning With Megan Gorman

Ep 55 – Britney Spears: How The Jump Conservatorship Skips Estate Planning With Megan Gorman

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In 2008, following a very public breakdown, Britney Spears and her estate were placed under a conservatorship  managed by her father, Jamie Spears. 

Now 13 years later, Britney is contesting the conservatorship.

In this episode, David Lenok is joined once again by Megan Gorman from Chequers Financial Management. They dive into the legal wrangling of Birtney Spears’ estate and the conservatorship she is under. 

Megan discusses:

  • The difference between a guardianship and a conservatorship
  • Available options before taking the conservatorship route 
  • How the conservatorship impacted Britney’s net worth
  • The power that powers of attorney hold
  • And more

Connect With Megan Gorman:

Connect With David Lenok:

About Our Guest:

Megan is the founding partner of Chequers Financial Management, a fee-only planning firm that specializes in high net worth and ultra-high net worth families in San Francisco, California. Megan heads the firm’s family office services practice.

As well, Megan is a Senior Contributor for Forbes in personal finance and tax. She is also quoted regularly in the press as a tax and financial planning expert including such publications as The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post. She blogs at TheWealthIntersection.com, has appeared on numerous podcasts, and is a regular weekly commentator on The Money Tree Podcast.

 
Ep 54 – James Brown: Philanthropy After Death With Robert Strauss

Ep 54 – James Brown: Philanthropy After Death With Robert Strauss

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In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, is joined by Robert Strauss,  shareholder and director of Weinstock Manion, specializing in guiding high net worth families, business owners, and real estate developers through the complex process of estate and wealth transfer planning.

Today’s celebrity example is the estate of legendary musician and American icon James Brown, including the fifteen years it took to settle his relatively simple estate. David and Robert discuss how charitable giving can help you avoid drawn out settlements after your death.

David and Robert discuss:

  • The importance of defining the clients’ wishes for their estate after they pass
  • Charitable giving before vs. after death
  • How family and legal dynamics can change after you are gone
  • How charitable gains are taxed
  • And more

Connect With Robert Strauss:

Connect With David Lenok:

About Our Guest:

As a Partner at Weinstock Manion, I specialize in guiding high-networth families, business owners and real estate developers through the complex process of estate and wealth transfer planning. With an extensive background as a transactional attorney, I am able to effectively advise owners of businesses and real estate regarding business succession plans and pre-liquidity event wealth transfer plans. Further, I bring a creative and customized approach to all estate matters in order to reduce estate taxes, achieve liability and creditor protection and, if desired, incorporate charitable giving and life insurance planning.

 
Ep 53 – The Information About Special Needs Trusts Everyone Needs To Hear With Gina Nelson

Ep 53 – The Information About Special Needs Trusts Everyone Needs To Hear With Gina Nelson

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Many of us remember Chrisptopher Reeves for his unforgettable performance as the first Superman to appear on the big screen in 1978. But a lot of us forget his later years were spent as a parapelegic after a tragic horse accident. 

In this episode, David Lenok speaks with Gina Nelson about some of the different planning you can do to prepare if you or a loved one should become disabled, and what you can do today to set them up for after you’re gone. 

Gina discusses:

  • The Christopher and Dana Reeves Foundation and how it’s set up to help those living with any type of disability 
  • How a special needs trust can help you and your loved ones
  • The difference between special needs and supplemental needs
  • The importance of flexibility in your trust documents 
  • The different scenarios between who sets up the trust
  • And more

Connect With Gina Nelson:

Connect With David Lenok:

About Our Guest:

Gina M. Nelson is a Senior Vice President – Head of Fiduciary Services with over 15 years of experience in various trust and estate roles.  Prior to joining Chilton Trust, Ms. Nelson served as Executive Director/Global Head of Trusts and Estates Risk at J.P. Morgan where she was responsible for Risk Management of all of J.P. Morgan’s trust companies, which include the U.S., Delaware, Bahamas, and other international entities.  Prior to J.P. Morgan, Ms. Nelson accumulated over 10 years of trust company experience, serving as a resource on complex fiduciary matters, reviewing and approving new business, and developing and enhancing fiduciary processes and procedures.  

She has spoken on panels at several key industry events, including the Delaware Trust Conference and the Mourant Ozannes International Trust and Private Client Conference.  Ms. Nelson began her career practicing law and opened her own practice where her focus was estate planning and trust and estate administration.  Ms. Nelson received her B.A. in French and European Studies from Vanderbilt University and her J.D. from the University of Minnesota School of Law.  
Ep 52 – Peter Bing: How Incorrect Terminology in an Estate Plan Can Cause Total Chaos With Megan Gorman

Ep 52 – Peter Bing: How Incorrect Terminology in an Estate Plan Can Cause Total Chaos With Megan Gorman

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A trust might make complete sense. But when you add family dynamics to the equation, chaos can ensue. 

This is exactly what happened when a millionaire decided to remove two of his biological grandchildren from his multi-million dollar trust plan. 

In this episode, David Lenok is joined by returning guest Megan Gorman, a founding partner of Chequers Financial Management, to talk about the recent estate case concerning multi-millionaire Peter Bing disinheriting two grandchildren, Damien Hurley and Kira Bonder, and leaving them with nothing.  

David and Megan discusses:

  • How this level of miscommunication can happen in any estate plan, regardless of one’s wealth
  • How to protect your inheritance from creditors, ex-spouses, and anyone else who might come knocking
  • How the language and definitions you use can determine what happens in your estate plan
  • Why a trust proctor could have helped Peter Bing’s case
  • And more

Connect With Megan Gorman:

Connect With David Lenok:

About Our Guest:

Megan is the founding partner of Chequers Financial Management, a fee-only planning firm that specializes in high net worth and ultra-high net worth families in San Francisco, California. Megan heads the firm’s family office services practice.

As well, Megan is a Senior Contributor for Forbes in personal finance and tax. She is also quoted regularly in the press as a tax and financial planning expert including such publications as The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post. She blogs at TheWealthIntersection.com, has appeared on numerous podcasts, and is a regular weekly commentator on The Money Tree Podcast.
Ep 51 – Preserving Your Inherited Collectibles with Barbara Archer

Ep 51 – Preserving Your Inherited Collectibles with Barbara Archer

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In this episode, David Lenok, senior editor at WealthManagement.com, speaks with Barbara Archer, managing director and partner at Hightower. David and Barbara speak about Barbra’s story of researching, purchasing and preserving art that can be shared with the world.

Today’s celebrity example begins with Lilly Pulitzer. Lilly quickly grew to fame through her fashion and bright coloured designs. But, an individual so often forgotten in Lilly’s story is Suzie Zuzek. Suzie, the artist behind the designs was once never recognized, but that has recently changed. Our guest shares the story of finding Suzie’s designs and the work it took to have them displayed in the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum. We use this example to understand the steps it takes to preserve collectibles. 

Barbara discusses:

  • Her role in getting Suzie Zuzek’s designs into the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum
  • How advisors should handle the situation of clients wishing to invest in collectibles
  • The hidden costs associated with investing in collectibles
  • And more

Connect With Barbara Archer:

Connect With David Lenok:

About Our Guest:

Barbara C. Archer is a consummate entrepreneur who sees her clients’ world through a creative financial lens. As a Managing Director and Partner of Hightower Wealth Advisors | St. Louis, she and the team are resourceful problem solvers who deliver valuable advice and investment guidance.