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.

May 26

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.

40 min
May 12

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.

42 min
Apr 28

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.

51 min
Apr 14

Episode 13: 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.

32 min
Mar 24

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.

44 min
Mar 10

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.

1h 17m
Feb 24

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

53 min
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

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

18
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Having Fun with Death & Taxes
Show Website

Having Fun with Death & Taxes