Subscribe: RSS

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.

Subscribe: RSS

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.

Subscribe: RSS

In part two of our series covering Tony Bennett, host Joe Cordell and co-host Sherry Farmer continue their discussion on the famed musician’s estate and the lessons we can learn.

Famed for his timeless voice and enduring career, Bennett became a beloved figure across generations with classics like I Left My Heart in San Francisco. But beyond the spotlight was a deeply human story that included his battle with Alzheimer’s, the management of his music rights, and the careful planning behind his estate.

Though Bennett built a remarkable legacy and substantial wealth, his story highlights the importance of estate planning, long-term care considerations, and protecting creative assets. Joe and Sherry discuss the key legal takeaways from his life and estate, including planning guardianship, managing royalties and intellectual property, avoiding exploitation in later life, and preserving a legacy through trusts and family planning.

Subscribe: RSS

In part two of our series Brian Wilson, host Joe Cordell and co-host Sherry Farmer continue their discussion on the famed musician’s estate and the lessons we can learn.

Though Brian Wilson built a substantial fortune, his story is a powerful reminder of why estate planning, asset protection, and selecting the right fiduciaries are so crucial. In this episode, Joe and Sherry explore how Wilson’s life and estate highlight essential lessons, ranging from protecting intellectual property and royalty rights to addressing guardianship, mental capacity, and the risk of financial exploitation.

Subscribe: RSS

Continuing their discussion on the life and estate of George Foreman, host Joe Cordell and co-host Sherry Farmer dive deeper into how the heavyweight boxing champion leveraged his fame and athleticism into an empire far beyond the ring.

Whether you’re thinking about your own retirement, managing family wealth, or curious how public figures protect their estates, this episode offers valuable insights for anyone interested in estate law, retirement planning, and long-term financial strategy. Joe and Sherry explore how Foreman managed his money, structured his assets, and built an enduring legacy for his family.