Welcome to another episode of Life’s Third Act. In our previous episode, we discussed the immediate steps to take following a loss. Today, we’re moving forward to address the complex legal and financial roadmap that follows—the practical, often overwhelming reality of stepping into the role of executor. Call 866-323-7529 or visit https://cordellcordell.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/ to schedule an […]
Losing a loved one is incredibly difficult, and the administrative burdens that follow can feel overwhelming. In this episode of Life’s Third Act, we move past the headlines to provide you with a practical, step-by-step guide on what to do immediately after someone passes away. From securing the premises and notifying the proper authorities to […]
In December 2019, a Colorado court entered a $6 million wrongful death judgment against Chris Watts — $3 million for Shanann and $1 million for each of his daughters. It was a default judgment. He didn’t even appear. In this second of two episodes on the Watts case, we examine the legal and financial aftermath […]
In August 2018, Chris Watts confessed to murdering his pregnant wife Shanann and their two young daughters in Frederick, Colorado. It became one of the most watched true crime stories in American history. But we want to come at it from a different angle. What most people don’t know is that in the years leading […]
How did Kouri Richins manage to systematically drain over $500,000 from her husband’s estate despite Eric’s attempts to protect himself? In Part 2 of our deep dive, attorney and CPA Joe Cordell explores the financial fallout of the Kouri Richins case and the critical estate planning lessons we can learn from it. We analyze the […]
Marriage is often called a “blind spot” for fraud. In the first part of our Kouri Richins deep dive, we explore how a $2 million secret debt, forged signatures, and a “Deal-Killer” known as financial infidelity created a motive for one of the most high-profile cases in recent Utah history. Joe Cordell, attorney and CPA, […]
Fotis Dulos took his own life before he could face a jury, but that didn’t end the legal battle. From defense attorneys fighting for their retainers to the application of the “Slayer Statute,” the Dulos case is a masterclass in how a “bad actor” can drain an estate’s value while the legal system slowly grinds […]
Jennifer Farber Dulos was a mother of five who disappeared without a trace during a high-stakes divorce. What followed was a $2.5 million legal battle that exposed the unique vulnerabilities of an estate in the midst of a family crisis. Our Marriage, Murder, and Money (MMM) series continues as we begin a deep dive into […]
Harold Henthorn thought he had committed the perfect crime on federal land, but the law had other plans. What followed was a legal reckoning that utilized the “Slayer Statute” to ensure his $4.5 million motive would never be realized. In Part 3 of Marriage, Murder & Money, attorney and CPA Joe Cordell breaks down the […]
Harold Henthorn took his wife Toni on a hike in Rocky Mountain National Park — and came home alone. What followed was a $4.5 million battle that exposed every vulnerability in their estate plan. In Part 2 of Marriage, Murder & Money, attorney and CPA Joe Cordell breaks down the Henthorn case from the inside […]