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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

Jimmy Buffett’s Estate Battle: Lessons from Margaritaville – PT. 3 – EP. 187 – Life’s Third Act

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Call 866-323-7529 or visit CordellCordell.com to schedule an estate planning consultation.

In the final installment of this three-part series, Life’s Third Act host, Joe Cordell, and co-host Sherry Farmer dive into the escalating legal battle over Jimmy Buffett’s $275 million estate.

This episode unpacks the brewing conflict between Buffett’s widow, Jane Buffett, and longtime business manager, Richard Mozenter, as they clash over control of the marital trust and the administration of Buffett’s assets. From dueling lawsuits in Florida and California to accusations of mismanagement and breach of fiduciary duty, the dispute reveals how even the most carefully planned estates can spiral into costly litigation.

More than a celebrity saga, this episode highlights critical lessons about selecting trustees, avoiding family disputes, and structuring your estate to protect your legacy and loved ones.

Whether you’re a Jimmy Buffett fan, planning your own estate, or simply fascinated by high-profile legal battles, this episode offers valuable insights into why clear, strategic estate planning matters.

Jimmy Buffett’s Estate Battle: Lessons from Margaritaville – PT. 2 – EP. 186 – Life’s Third Act

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Call 866-323-7529 or visit CordellCordell.com to schedule an estate planning consultation.

In the second installment of this three-part series, Life’s Third Act host, Joe Cordell and co-host Sherry Farmer discuss the life, music, and merchandising empire of the King of Margaritaville himself, Jimmy Buffett.

In this episode, we unpack how Jimmy Buffett transformed his timeless hit Margaritaville, into resorts, restaurants, and lifestyle experiencesbuilding a multi-million dollar merchandising empire.

But this is more than a success story. After Buffett passed in 2023, his $275 million estate became the center of a bitter legal battle between his widow, Jane Buffett, and longtime business manager Richard Mozenter.

Whether you’re dedicated to Buffett’s world or focused on securing your own legacy, this episode shows why estate planning must be strategic, transparent, and resilient. Stay tuned for Part Three, where we turn our attention to other celebrity estates and the pivotal lessons they teach.

Jimmy Buffett’s Estate Battle: Lessons from Margaritaville – PT. 1 – EP. 185 – Life’s Third Act

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In the first installment of this three-part series, Life’s Third Act host, Joe Cordell and co-host Sherry Farmer discuss the life, music, and merchandising empire of the King of Margaritaville himself, Jimmy Buffett.

From chart-topping hits like Margaritaville to building a billion-dollar lifestyle brand of restaurants, resorts, and merchandise, Buffett created a legacy that went far beyond music. Joe and Sherry discuss how Buffett’s unique approach to branding, licensing, and business partnerships turned his laid-back persona into a lasting empire.

Whether you are a Jimmy Buffett fan, a business owner, or simply interested in how celebrity estates are structured and protected, this episode offers valuable insights into legacy planning at the highest level.

Tune in for Part Two as we delve further into Brian Wilson’s legacy and lessons we can learn from his estate.