Having Fun with Death & Taxes

Every estate has a story. Some end in heartbreak, others in lawsuits. From billionaires like Jerry Buss to icons like Tom Petty, we’ve seen how even the most prominent families fall apart without a plan. The truth? If legends can’t escape the chaos, neither can you. Unless you prepare. Join our host Leslie Marenco for real stories and insider strategies to protect your legacy.

Having Fun with Death & Taxes is a news podcast hosted by Death, with 18 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Death hosts Having Fun with Death & Taxes, a news show with 18 episodes published.

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  Episode #16

  The Graceland Foreclosure Fraud: Real Estate Scams & Forged Deeds

  May 26, 202640 minS1

  <p>How do fraudsters almost steal Graceland?</p><p>A fabricated $3.8M loan and a forged Florida notary signature. When Lisa Marie Presley passed away, her estate was immediately targeted by an audacious real estate scam. It highlighted a terrifying reality for property owners: simply recording a deed at the county office doesn't actually mean you own the property. </p><p>In the latest episode of Having Fun with Death & Taxes, estate planning attorney Leslie Marenco sits down with real estate and bankruptcy attorney Cristina Ortiz to break down this massive real estate fraud.</p>

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  Episode #15

  Tony Hsieh's $500 Million Mess: Sticky Notes and a Mystery Will

  May 12, 202642 minS1

  <p>The visionary founder of Zappos left behind a billion-dollar legacy, but his business dealings were managed by 1,000 sticky notes and a "magical" will that appeared out of thin air from Pakistan. In this episode of Having Fun with Death & Taxes, estate planning attorneys Leslie Marenco and George Alvarez unpack the "mayhem, chaos, and foolishness" of the Tony Hsieh estate. </p><p>In this episode, you’ll learn: </p><p>✅ Why relying on post-its for business promises leads to a $100 million pile of creditors' claims. </p><p>✅ How a lack of formal planning led to astronomical attorney's fees while the estate...

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  Episode #14

  Michael Jackson Estate vs. IRS

  Apr 28, 202651 minS1

  <p>The IRS claimed Michael Jackson's estate owed $700 million in taxes and penalties . Conversely, the estate famously claimed his "Image and Likeness" was only worth $2,105 . </p><p>In this episode of Having Fun with Death & Taxes, Estate Planning Attorney Leslie Marenco and guest tax lawyer Francois Blanco break down the decade-long legal "shit show" that changed celebrity estate law and wealth preservation forever. </p><p>In this episode, you’ll learn: </p><p>✅The Date of Death Rule </p><p>✅The Foreseeability Trap </p><p>✅The "Smell Test" </p><p>✅Tax Efficiency Secrets </p><p></p><p>Don't let your legacy bec...

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  Episode #13

  Heath Ledger’s Outdated Will Disaster

  Apr 14, 202632 minS1

  <p>Heath Ledger left behind a legendary cinematic legacy and a posthumous Oscar, but his estate plan was stuck in the past. Having written his will five years before his death, the Dark Knight star completely omitted his daughter, Matilda, leaving his $20 million fortune in a state of legal limbo. In this episode of Having Fun with Death & Taxes, estate planning attorney Leslie Marenco and guest Gilberto Matute break down the "accidental" mess left behind by one of Hollywood’s brightest stars.</p>

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  Episode #12

  The $80M Under the Couch: Aretha Franklin’s Estate Disaster

  Mar 24, 202644 minS1

  <p>The Queen of Soul left behind an $80 million estate, but it came in a "holographic" will hidden in her living room. In this episode of Having Fun with Death & Taxes, estate planning attorney Leslie Marenco and guest Nicole Martins break down the shocking reality of probate litigation.</p><p>Aretha’s story reveals how even a global icon's planning can turn into a "dumpster fire" of legal battles and unintended consequences. If you don’t want your family fighting for five years over a notebook found under a cushion, Leslie and Nicole are sharing key lessons from this probate nigh...

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