Conway Twitty’s Estate: Bloodlines and Blended Families – PT. 1 – EP. 196 – Life’s Third Act

Call 866-323-7529 or visit https://cordellcordell.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/ to schedule an estate planning consultation. For a limited time, mention LIFE’S THIRD ACT for 15% off eligible estate planning services!

Before his name became country music royalty, Conway Twitty was just Harold Lloyd Jenkins—a small-town kid with a big voice, big hair, and even bigger dreams. In this episode of Life’s Third Act, we take a deep dive into Conway’s remarkable rise to fame, from his early rockabilly days and pop stardom to his bold switch to country and his record-breaking 55 number-one Billboard hits.

On this episode of Life’s Third Act, Joe and Sherry explore his long-standing partnership with Loretta Lynn, the creation of his iconic Twitty City estate, and the complicated web of marriages, children, and professional ties that defined his personal life. As they uncover the family dynamics behind the scenes, it becomes clear that while Conway may have kept the peace while alive, his sudden death at 59 left a void—and a tangled estate that would spark major disputes.

This is Part 1 of our three-part series, setting the stage for the probate battles, legal lessons, and legacy challenges we’ll unpack in the episodes to come. Don’t miss what’s next.

Life’s Third Act Live Halloween Special: Lizzie Borden’s Estate – PT. 1 – EP. 196 – Life’s Third Act

Call 866-323-7529 or visit https://cordellcordell.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/ to schedule an estate planning consultation. For a limited time, mention LIFE’S THIRD ACT for 15% off eligible estate planning services!

On this special episode filmed LIVE on Halloween Eve, Attorney CPA Joe Cordell and Sherry crack open the Lizzie Borden case to ask a different question than who swung the hatchet: what did the probate and estate issues look like, and what can modern families learn from them? We walk through the family dynamics, the size of Andrew Borden’s estate, why the order of death mattered, and how settlements and intestacy worked in the 1890s.

Then, we fast forward to today to explain the Uniform Simultaneous Death statute, Slayer statutes, and how planning choices could change outcomes for blended families. Along the way we talk about wills that never got signed, why “who died first” once triggered double probates, and how even thin forensic evidence can still reshape an estate fight.

Part two is coming soon with the rest of Lizzie’s life and how her own will played out. Happy Halloween!

John Amos: Estate Lessons from a TV Dad’s Real Family Life – PT. 2 – EP. 195 – Life’s Third Act

Call 866-323-7529 or visit https://cordellcordell.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/ to schedule an estate planning consultation. Mention LIFE’S THIRD ACT for 15% off eligible estate planning services!

In Part 2 of our John Amos discussion, Joe and Sherry pick up in his later years and unpack the real estate planning questions that surfaced as his health declined. They walk through the reported family conflict, the Alzheimer’s diagnosis timeline, and why “legal capacity” is a moving target until a court rules otherwise. You will hear how allegations of undue influence, caregiver power, and limited assets can still create outsized turmoil.

Joe and Sherry also review the 2020 planning package attributed to Amos, including a pour-over will, a revocable living trust, and durable powers of attorney. They discuss why equal distributions to both children and adult grandchildren can be a thoughtful choice, and where things can go wrong when successor trustees and agents are siblings who later disagree. From there, they offer practical takeaways you can use, like appointing a neutral co-fiduciary, documenting capacity, and adding a trust protector to resolve stalemates before they become lawsuits.

This episode is a cautionary tale that feels closer to everyday families than tabloid celebrity drama. If you are caring for a parent or updating your own plan, you will learn how to prepare for the gray zone between full competence and legal incapacity, and how to preempt disputes with clear roles, backups, and documentation.

John Amos: Estate Lessons from a TV Dad’s Real Family Life – PT. 1 – EP. 194 – Life’s Third Act

John Amos was more than “America’s favorite TV dad.” In this episode of Life’s Third Act, Joe and Sherry explore his early life, football dreams, breakthrough roles, and the family dynamics that shaped both his career and the foundation for his estate planning story. From his years on Good Times and Roots to his values around family, work, and fairness, this first half of the discussion shows how life experiences can quietly shape the legal and financial choices people face later on.

Viewers will learn how stable families can still experience conflict without clear estate documents, why career patterns and personal values influence how assets are passed down, and how early planning could have helped prevent disputes.

Tune in next week for Part 2, which continues the story with questions about capacity, caregiving, and the legal steps that can help protect families from future conflict.

Did Hogan Know Best? Key Lessons From Hulk Hogan’s Estate Plan – PT. 2 – EP. 193 – Life’s Third Act

Call 866-323-7529 or visit https://cordellcordell.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/ to schedule an estate planning consultation. Mention LIFE’S THIRD ACT for 15% off eligible estate planning services!

In this episode of Life’s Third Act, we focus on the estate story: what was filed, what is still missing, and what that means for heirs and planners. Joe and Sherry touch on the reported will and codicils, the 1998 revocable living trust, and why a pour-over will matters even when most assets sit in a trust. You will hear how a personal representative protects an estate, why a Florida court can appoint a temporary curator when timing is critical, and how potential claims like medical malpractice or wrongful death are preserved. We also note the emergency restraining order tied to the tape, and how intellectual property, collectibles, and even cryptocurrency are treated in an inventory.

We translate Florida’s elective share, explain why beneficiaries can differ between a will and a trust, and show how divorce terms and past business deals echo through an estate. Choose fiduciaries carefully, keep originals and amendments organized, and use trusts to protect privacy and intent.

The Shocking Story of Hulk Hogan’s Legacy After His Death – PT. 1 – EP. 192 – Life’s Third Act

Call 866-323-7529 or visit https://cordellcordell.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/ to schedule an estate planning consultation. Mention LIFE’S THIRD ACT for 15% off eligible estate planning services!

Wrestling fan or not, Hulk Hogan’s story is a masterclass in planning for life, reputation, and what comes next. In Part 1 of our discussion, Joe and Sherry unpack Terry “Hulk Hogan” Bollea’s rise from Tampa to worldwide fame, the family dynamics behind the headlines, and the turning points that shaped his brand, wealth, and privacy.

Stay tuned for next week’s Life’s Third Act episode, where we shift to the legal and estate implications of Hogan’s story. You’ll learn how fame, divorce, blended families, and public controversy complicate planning, why beneficiary updates and marital agreements matter, how privacy and image rights fit into an estate plan, and how to think about protecting a personal brand, family relationships, and future settlements for the long term.

Kyle Jacobs and Kellie Pickler: Lessons from a Songwriter’s Estate – PT. 2 – EP. 191 – LTA

Call 866-323-7529 or visit CordellCordell.com to schedule an estate planning consultation. Mention LIFE’S THIRD ACT for 15% off eligible estate planning services!

CONTENT WARNING: This episode discusses sensitive topics around loss. If you or someone you know is struggling, dial 988 in the U.S. for free, confidential help, 24/7.

In Part 2 of their discussion on Kyle Jacobs and Kellie Pickler, Joe and Sherry pick up after Jacobs’ passing to unpack how Tennessee intestate law works when there is a surviving spouse, no children, and living parents. We walk through how a prenup can or cannot control after death, why “personal property” becomes a flashpoint, the role of an administrator, and what families can do to avoid disputes.

In this episode, you’ll see how Tennessee’s intestate succession treats a surviving spouse when there are no children but living parents, when a prenuptial agreement can waive an elective share and direct specific items, and why proper execution matters if a prenup tries to act like a will. We also cover the administrator’s duties to identify, secure, and inventory assets, plus practical planning tips to prevent fights over sentimental items and intellectual property.

Kyle Jacobs and Kellie Pickler: Lessons from a Songwriter’s Estate – PT. 1 – EP. 190 – LTA

In this episode of Life’s Third Act, Joe Cordell and Sherry Farmer set the stage for their two-part look at Kyle Jacobs and Kellie Pickler. They cover Kyle’s Minnesota roots and church-music beginnings, his move to Nashville, early break with Curb Music, and the history-making Garth Brooks cut “More Than a Memory.” They also revisit Kellie’s American Idol rise, her debut success, and the couple’s New Year’s Day 2011 elopement—leading into why songwriting royalties and smart planning matter for anyone, not just celebrities.

Stay tuned next week for Part 2, where they’ll dive into prenups, intestacy, and lessons for your own plan.

Shelley Duvall’s Estate Story: Partner vs. Family – PT. 2 – EP. 189 – Life’s Third Act

Call 866-323-7529 or visit CordellCordell.com to schedule an estate planning consultation. Mention LIFE’S THIRD ACT for 15% off eligible estate planning services!

In Part 2, Joe Cordell and Sherry Farmer pick up after Shelley Duvall’s passing to unpack what happens when there’s no will, how Texas common-law marriage can affect heirship, and why proactive planning matters. They are joined by Cordell & Cordell attorney Kelly Burris (Austin, TX) to walk through probate mechanics, “holding out” requirements, and practical options like prenups/postnups and life-estate planning for couples later in life.

You’ll learn how probate works when someone dies intestate (no will); the three elements of Texas common-law marriage and why cohabiting isn’t enough; how administrator disputes, heirship, and a guardian ad litem fit into the process; why this case settled and how the proceeds are divided; and practical planning tips for couples 60+, including whether to marry and how prenup/postnup clauses can coordinate both divorce and estate outcomes.

#estateplanninglawyer #Probate #ShelleyDuvall #CommonLawMarriage #WillVsNoWill #TexasLaw #LifesThirdAct

Shelley Duvall’s Estate Story: Partner vs. Family – PT. 1 – EP. 188 – Life’s Third Act

Call 866-323-7529 or visit CordellCordell.com to schedule an estate planning consultation. Mention LIFE’S THIRD ACT for 15% off eligible estate planning services!

In this two-part Life’s Third Act series, Joe Cordell and Sherry Farmer revisit the life and legacy of Shelley Duvall and uncover the estate planning choices that shaped her final years. We explore her career highlights from Brewster McCloud and The Shining to her award-winning children’s programming, her long partnership with Dan Gilroy, and why dying without a will can leave loved ones in conflict.

In Part 1, we set the stage for the legal questions that follow: no children of her own, a close-knit family of siblings, a long-term partner, property in Texas, and no estate plan on record. We discuss how health, isolation, and timing can complicate decisions and why clear planning for unmarried partners matters.

Stay tuned next week for Part 2, which dives into common-law marriage in Texas, heirship, probate, and how disputes like these get resolved.