In Part 2 of our deep dive into Anna Nicole Smith’s estate, we break down how one of the most complex and drawn-out legal battles in recent history finally came to a close. After years of litigation involving the estate of J. Howard Marshall, the case expanded into disputes over paternity, burial rights, and a […]
In this episode of Life’s Third Act, John Sauter breaks down the life, death, and legal aftermath of Anna Nicole Smith. From her marriage to Texas billionaire J. Howard Marshall to the probate fight, bankruptcy case, and Supreme Court battle that followed, this story touches nearly every corner of estate law. Part one explores the […]
In this episode of Life’s Third Act, Cordell & Cordell Senior Estate Planning Attorney John Sauter takes a look at five more unusual and fascinating estate plans. This is a continuation of a previous episode where we covered five other strange wills, and today John breaks down five more real-world examples, including Gene Roddenberry, Tennessee […]
In Part 2 of our discussion on Steve Irwin, we focus on what happened to his estate and conservation mission after his sudden death at age 44. When the face of a business or nonprofit is gone overnight, the real challenge begins. How do you keep operations running? Where does liquidity come from? And is […]
What really happened with Steve Irwin’s estate planning? The internet often suggests his plan fell short, but the full story is more nuanced. In Part 1 of this two-part discussion, Life’s Third Act takes a closer look at the legacy of Steve Irwin and the estate planning lessons business owners and families can learn from […]
In this solo episode of Life’s Third Act, senior estate planning attorney John Sauter breaks down the essentials of a Healthcare Power of Attorney and why it plays a critical role in protecting your wishes if you’re ever unable to speak for yourself. He explains how key documents like a healthcare POA, HIPAA release, and […]
Explore five of the strangest wills on record, from Jeremy Bentham’s “auto-icon” still attending meetings in London to a Portuguese aristocrat who picked beneficiaries straight from the phone book. Attorney CPA Joe Cordell and Senior Estate Planning Attorney John Sauter unpack the real legal lessons behind these odd stories, including what courts will (and will […]
In this episode of Life’s Third Act, senior estate planning attorney John Sauter breaks down the financial power of attorney and why it matters while you are still alive. Learn what a financial POA is, how a durable POA works, and what can happen if you do not have one in place, including the court […]
How do trusts actually work once they’re created? In this episode of Life’s Third Act, we break down how revocable trusts function in real life, what it means to fund a trust, how assets are managed while you’re alive, and what happens if something is left outside the trust. We also address common misconceptions about […]
In this episode of Life’s Third Act, we take a closer look at how Diane Keaton built her career, managed her wealth, and thoughtfully planned her estate. From understanding residual income and long-term royalties to strategic real estate investments and the use of trusts, her story offers practical lessons on how successful planning happens over […]