Having Fun With Death & Taxes

Casey Kasem’s Estate Battle: When Family Trusts Go Wrong

The iconic voice behind America’s Top 40 and Shaggy from Scooby-Doo, Casey Kasem, had an $80 million estate, yet he signed his medical directives at a UPS Store. That single decision set off a Probate Disaster involving Guardianship Litigation, a missing persons report, shocking Elder Isolation, and the infamous raw steak lawsuit. In episode 3 of Having Fun with Death & Taxes, host Leslie Marenco and special guest Alex Gonzalez take a deep dive into the Casey Kasem Estate, revealing how a Celebrity Estate can spiral when Blended Family conflict, conservatorship battles, and unclear legal planning collide. Join us as we expose the real cost of cutting corners on legal counsel and why every family needs strong Incapacity Protocols in place before it’s too late.

Having Fun with Death & Taxes: Intro

Having Fun with Death & Taxes: Intro

Having Fun with Death & Taxes: Disclaimer

Your Lawyer Disclaimer

Family Conflict Over an Estate: Tom Petty’s Legal Fight Explained

The fight for Tom Petty's music catalog wasn't over his money, it was over three simple words: "equal participation." Join attorney Leslie Marenco and guest invited Manuel Rodriguez, as they discuss how Petty's extensive 80-page Trust failed to define voting rights, pitting his widow against his daughters in a high-stakes Blended Family Probate Nightmare. We expose how one ambiguous sentence can turn a secure estate into a multi-million dollar legal disaster, and why precision in your Revocable Trust is the only way to protect your legacy.

Family Business Succession Explained: Lessons from Jerry Buss and the Lakers

Join us on this episode of the FWD&T as we dive into what really happened after Lakers owner Jerry Buss passed away. His estate plan was meant to keep the team in the family—but what unfolded was a front-row seat to the drama that can follow when trusts, succession plans, and family dynamics collide. We’re joined by our brilliant guest Kristina Wilson as we discuss: ✅ Why Jerry’s plan to divide the Lakers equally among his six kids sounded good—but didn’t go smoothly ✅How Jeanie Buss made the tough call to remove her brother from the team’s leadership ✅And what every business owner can take away from this real-life case This is one of those stories where estate planning, legacy, and family all go head-to-head—and we’re here to help you learn from it.