Subscribe: RSS

Divorce can unexpectedly disrupt your will, trust, powers of attorney, and long-term legacy goals. In Part 2 of this special series on the intersection of divorce and estate planning, host Joe Cordell and Cordell & Cordell litigation partner Wil Halaz continue their discussion on how to protect your assets, family, and future during one of life’s most challenging transitions.

Whether you’re updating your estate plan after divorce, preparing for child custody considerations, or ensuring your wealth management strategy reflects your new reality, this episode offers practical guidance from experienced family law professionals.

Don’t miss part 3, where Joe and Wil share even more actionable insights for those navigating divorce, remarriage, or retirement.

Subscribe: RSS

This video contains discussion of suicide and mental health topics, which may be distressing to some viewers. Viewer discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is struggling, please contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or visit 988lifeline.org for support.

In this episode of Life’s Third Act, host Joe Cordell and co-host Sherry Farmer explore the life, legacy, and estate of Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Naomi Judd.

As one half of The Judds, Naomi Judd helped shape country music history, earning five Grammy Awards, nine CMA awards, and over 20 million albums sold alongside her daughter Wynonna. Behind the fame, however, Naomi struggled with mental health challenges that ultimately led to her tragic passing at age 76.

Despite her success, Naomi’s $25 million estate became the subject of controversy and speculation. Her decision to leave husband Larry Strickland as sole executor—and exclude her daughters from her will raised difficult questions: Was she estranged from her children? What happens to her estate if Strickland passes first?

Joe and Sherry break down the structure of Naomi Judd’s estate, analyze the legal and emotional implications, and share key estate planning insights for anyone looking to protect their legacy and loved ones.

Subscribe: RSS

In this episode of Life’s Third Act, host Joe Cordell and co-host Sherry Farmer explore the life, legacy, and estate plan of iconic musician and Grateful Dead lead guitarist, Jerry Garcia.

Famed for his improvisational style and musical influence, Garcia left behind not only a powerful cultural legacy but also a complex and highly contested estate. Despite his success, Garcia’s estate faced serious wealth management challenges, including liquidity issues, child support disputes, and conflicts over recording rights and intellectual property.

Garcia and the Grateful Dead toured extensively, performing over 2,200 concerts from 1965 to 1995—building a brand and fortune that would prove difficult to unwind after his death in 1995.

Subscribe for more estate planning insights: https://www.youtube.com/@lifesthirdact?sub_confirmation=1

Don’t miss part two, where Joe and Sherry uncover the deeper legal and financial lessons from Garcia’s estate and what they mean for your own estate plan.

#JerryGarcia #GratefulDead #EstatePlanning #WillsAndTrusts #RecordingRights #WealthManagement #CelebrityEstates #LifesThirdAct #WillAndTestament #InheritanceLaw #CharitableGiving #EstateLaw #FamilyEstatePlanning #LegacyPlanning

Subscribe: RSS

In this episode of Life’s Third Act, host Joe Cordell and co-host Sherry Farmer explore the fascinating and controversial case of legendary actor Gene Hackman’s death and estate plan.

Known for iconic roles in The French Connection, Mississippi Burning, and Hoosiers, Hackman was an Oscar-winning actor with a substantial net worth. After retiring from Hollywood, he lived a quiet life with his wife, Betsy Arakawa, until their unexpected deaths in February 2025 raised questions about their estate.

Hackman’s will left his entire fortune to his wife—but Arakawa’s will included an unusual clause: if they died within 90 days of each other, their combined estate would go to charity. Joe Cordell examines the legal implications, estate planning strategy, and the potential impact of simultaneous death clauses.

https://www.youtube.com/@lifesthirdact?sub_confirmation=1

Tune in for Part Two, where we uncover the inner workings of Hackman’s estate and critical insights into wills, trusts, and estate planning for couples, especially for those with significant assets.

#GeneHackman #EstatePlanning #WillsAndTrusts #SimultaneousDeathClause #EstatePlanning #WealthManagement #CelebrityEstates #JoeCordell #LifesThirdAct #WillAndTestament #InheritanceLaw #CharitableGiving #EstateLaw #FamilyEstatePlanning #LegacyPlanning

Subscribe: RSS

In the latest episode of Life’s Third Act, host Joe Cordell and co-host Sherry Farmer explore the estate and legacy of one of the greatest tech visionaries of our time—Steve Jobs.

A prodigy from a young age, Jobs landed his first job at Hewlett-Packard at just 13 years old. He later revolutionized the tech industry with groundbreaking innovations like the iPod, iPad, and iPhone, transforming Apple into a global powerhouse. His creative genius even extended into the film industry, playing a pivotal role in Pixar’s success with films like Toy Story and Wall-E.

While Jobs’ impact on technology and media is undeniable, his estate planning choices sparked controversy. Despite amassing immense wealth, he made the surprising decision to leave his children out of his will.

https://www.youtube.com/@lifesthirdact?sub_confirmation=1

Tune in for Part Two, where we uncover the inner workings of Jobs’ estate plan and the critical takeaways for anyone planning their financial future. Don’t forget to subscribe for more insights on estate planning, wealth preservation, and securing your legacy.

#EstatePlanning #WealthManagement #SteveJobs #LegacyPlanning #WillsAndTrusts #RetirementPlanning #Apple #Pixar