Having Fun with Death & Taxes

Having Fun with Death & Taxes

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Every estate has a story. Some end in heartbreak, others in lawsuits. From billionaires like Jerry Buss to icons like Tom Petty, we’ve seen how even the most prominent families fall apart without a plan. The truth? If legends can’t escape the chaos, neither can you. Unless you prepare. Join our host Leslie Marenco for real stories and insider strategies to protect your legacy.

FEB 10

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of Having Fun with Death & Taxes, attorneys Leslie Marenco and Saidin Hernandez break down how NFL owner Joe Robbie’s outdated estate plan triggered family warfare, IRS pressure, and a fire sale of a legendary franchise.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.

1h 3m
JAN 27

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.

1h 12m
JAN 13

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$100 million became entangled in 16 years of litigation involving an invalid marriage, disputed paternity, outdated estate planning documents, and repeated trustee battles.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.

51 min
12/23/2025

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.

1h 13m
12/09/2025

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.

1h 7m
11/11/2025

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.

1 hr
11/06/2025

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.

1h 2m
11/06/2025

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.

1h 12m
11/06/2025

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.

56 min
11/06/2025 · BONUS

Episode 0: Having Fun with Death & Taxes: Intro

Having Fun with Death & Taxes: Intro

11 min
11/06/2025 · BONUS

Episode 00: Having Fun with Death & Taxes: Disclaimer

Your Lawyer Disclaimer.

5 min

11 Episodes

Every estate has a story. Some end in heartbreak, others in lawsuits. From billionaires like Jerry Buss to icons like Tom Petty, we’ve seen how even the most prominent families fall apart without a plan. The truth? If legends can’t escape the chaos, neither can you. Unless you prepare. Join our host Leslie Marenco for real stories and insider strategies to protect your legacy.

Creator

Having Fun with Death & Taxes
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

11
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Having Fun with Death & Taxes
Show Website

Having Fun with Death & Taxes