FLO JO’S TRAGIC MISTAKE: A MISSING WILL

Gabriel Katzner - February 8, 2016 - Estate Planning

If you’ve created a last will and testament, congratulations! You have made your intentions clear to the world and have provided for your loved ones based on what you determined was best. One caveat, and Rule #1 when creating your will – make sure to tell someone where to find it! Olympic Gold Medalist’s Death […]

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THE IRS TOOK HALF OF TONY SOPRANO’S ESTATE: DON’T FALL INTO THE SAME TRAP!

Gabriel Katzner - - Estate Planning

Actor and producer, James Gandolfini was famously known as the likable mafia man Tony Soprano on the long-running cable television series, The Sopranos. On the show, family meant everything. Well, sort of, anyway. In real life, Gandolfini’s family really did mean everything and he had the best intentions when it came to providing for them. […]

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JAMES BROWN’S VAGUE ESTATE PLAN FORCED FAMILY INTO YEARS OF LITIGATION

Gabriel Katzner - February 2, 2016 - Estate Planning

James Brown, the legendary singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer, and bandleader was known to many as the “Godfather of Soul.” Although he intended his estimated $100 million estate to provide for all of his children and grandchildren, his intentions were somewhat vague.  This forced his family into years of litigation which ended up in the […]

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MICHAEL JACKSON’S ESTATE LIABLE FOR $200M IN TAXES DUE TO UNFUNDED TRUST

Gabriel Katzner - - Estate Planning

Michael Jackson, the “King of Pop,” had always been a controversial superstar. Over the years, he became the father of three children, Prince Michael Jackson II, Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson, and Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr. While Jackson created a revocable living trust to care for his children and other family and friends, he never actually funded […]

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DENNIS HOPPER SAVES HEIRS WITH LAST MINUTE ESTATE PLAN CHANGES

Gabriel Katzner - January 26, 2016 - Estate Planning

Dennis Hopper, known for his role in Easy Rider, wanted to leave his fortune to his family.  Well, not everyone in his family. Hopper made numerous estate planning changes in the last months of his life. His goal? To make sure his heirs shared his approximately $40 million in wealth and that his fifth, and […]

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DORIS DUKE’S TRUSTEE BILKED ESTATE FOR $1M: HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOURS?

Gabriel Katzner - January 19, 2016 - Estate Planning

Choosing a trustee is a very personal matter and should never be left to chance. Doris Duke, heiress of Duke’s energy and tobacco fortunes, didn’t seem to know her trustee very well at all.  After Duke passed in 1992, her trustee bilked the estate for over $1 million. It begs the question:  How well do […]

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MARLON BRANDO’S HOUSEKEEPER CLAIMED HE “TOLD” HER SHE WOULD INHERIT HIS HOME

Gabriel Katzner - - Estate Planning

Legendary Oscar-winning actor Marlon Brando left the bulk of his estate (worth approximately $26 million) to his producer, other associates, and his longtime housekeeper, Angela Borlaza. Brando created a valid last will and testament.  However, he did not include Borlaza – who later sued alleging that Brando promised that she would inherit his home when […]

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WHO IS YOUR BENEFICIARY? MARILYN MONROE ULTIMATELY HAD NO IDEA

Gabriel Katzner - January 12, 2016 - Estate Planning

When creating a last will and testament, it’s important to know your beneficiary. Sadly, that’s not always the case. Marilyn Monroe, one of the world’s most famous icons, didn’t seem to have any idea to whom she left her money. Acting Coach & Psychiatrist Got Everything Marilyn Monroe died at the age of 36 from […]

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CELEBRITIES WHO FAILED TO RECOGNIZE UNBORN CHILDREN IN THEIR WILLS: A TEACHABLE LESSON

Gabriel Katzner - January 5, 2016 - Estate Planning

Having an estate plan that protects and provides for your loved ones is not only smart, but it’s also necessary. Without one, your family, friends, or the charitable organizations you wish to provide for may not receive your gifts. It’s also important to remember to update your estate planning documents whenever something changes that would […]

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