Celebrity Estates: Wills of the Rich and Famous

Celebrity Estates: Lessons from Rob Reiner’s Estate

Unexpected events can expose gaps in even the most carefully prepared estate plans. When family conflict, legal standards and timing collide, the outcome can reshape how assets move and who ultimately benefits. In this episode of Celebrity Estates, Senior Editor David Lenok examines the estate of Rob Reiner alongside Sean Weissbart, partner and co-chair of the Tax Benefits and Private Client Practice Group at Blank Rome. The conversation focuses on how slayer statutes function, why probate courts rely on civil standards rather than criminal convictions, and how intent and mental state influence inheritance outcomes. Sean explains how being treated as predeceased can redirect assets, how insanity defenses may affect eligibility and why simultaneous death rules and community property laws matter when spouses die close in time.  Join David Lenok and Sean Weissbart as they break down the estate planning lessons behind rare legal scenarios and the importance of thoughtful planning when the unexpected occurs. Key takeaways: How slayer statutes prevent financial benefit after intentional and felonious killing Why civil standards of proof differ from criminal convictions in estate matters How predeceased treatment redirects inheritances to alternate beneficiaries The role of insanity defenses, trusts and fiduciaries in inheritance outcomes Why simultaneous death provisions and planning details can reshape asset flow Resources: Listen to Celebrity Estates on Wealth Management Subscribe and listen to Celebrity Estates on Apple Podcasts Subscribe and listen to Celebrity Estates on Spotify Trust and Estates Magazine Connect With David Lenok: david.lenok@informa.com  Wealth Management LinkedIn: David Lenok LinkedIn: Informa LinkedIn: Wealth Management Connect With Sean Weissbart: LinkedIn: Sean Weissbart LinkedIn: Blank Rome Website: Blank Rome About Our Guest: As one of the most regarded millennial estate planners in the country, Sean plays an integral role in the lives of his clients, working together to create legacies that are tax efficient and responsive to the unique needs of each family. On Sean’s practice and style, Chambers USA quotes a client saying that “Sean Weissbart is a very creative estate tax lawyer, and he’s always looking to provide a fuller package than just documents. He cares quite a bit about his bedside manner, and it shows.” Another states, “There are three things that stand out about Sean. First is his ability to accommodate clients, second is his passion for the work he does and third is his empathy.” Clients turn to Sean to handle all aspects of estate planning, the administration of trusts and estates, and the representation of beneficiaries and fiduciaries in contested matters in Surrogate’s Court. Sean’s extensive experience includes advising international families on the impact of U.S. tax laws on their wealth. In international estate matters, Sean assists non-citizens with domestic assets navigate the complicated rules surrounding the tax-efficient transfer of their wealth and counsels U.S. citizens facing income tax issues related to their beneficial interest in foreign trusts.   Sean also represents clients on matrimonial matters, including the negotiation of prenuptial and postnuptial agreements and trust modifications following divorce. In addition to his law practice, Sean serves as an adjunct professor of law at New York University School of Law, where he teaches Income Taxation of Trusts and Estates, International Estate Planning, and Tax Aspects of Charitable Giving. He is an author of the law school textbook The Income Taxation of Trusts and Estates, a fellow of The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, and a regular speaker at the nation’s most prestigious tax conferences. He gives back to the community through many philanthropic endeavors including his service on the board of the Ment’or BKB Foundation and as event chair of the Trusts and Estates Committee of the UJA Federation of New York, having raised millions of dollars to assist those in need.

Celebrity Estates: Philanthropy, Legacy and Family Wealth with Philip Richter

Legacy is often shaped less by what is given and more by how values are shared across generations. In this episode of Celebrity Estates, wealth manager Philip Richter joins the show to explore philanthropy as a core part of estate planning and family decision-making. The conversation examines The Giving Pledge and how charitable intent, when left informal or unspoken, can lead to confusion, missed opportunities and misalignment among heirs. Philip explains why separating legacy from inheritance helps families focus on purpose rather than dollar amounts. He also shares how donor-advised funds, private foundations and charitable trusts can bring structure to giving while encouraging communication and shared responsibility. Join Senior Editor David Lenok and Philip Richter, president and partner at Hollow Brook Wealth Management, as they break down the estate planning lessons behind philanthropy, generational education and building a legacy that extends beyond assets. Philip discusses: How philanthropy can strengthen family communication while aligning values across generations through shared giving plans Why separating legacy from inheritance helps families focus on purpose, not just asset transfer Common structures for charitable giving, including donor-advised funds, private foundations, and charitable trusts The role advisors play in moderating sensitive family discussions around wealth, values, and responsibility Why early education and transparency prepare heirs to steward both capital and charitable intentions Resources: Listen to Celebrity Estates on WealthManagement.com Subscribe and listen to Celebrity Estates on Apple Podcasts Subscribe and listen to Celebrity Estates on Spotify Trust and Estates Magazine Connect With David Lenok: david.lenok@informa.com  WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: David Lenok LinkedIn: Informa LinkedIn: WealthManagement Connect With Philip Richter: Website: Hollow Brook Wealth Management LinkedIn: Hollow Brook Wealth Management LinkedIn: Philip Richter About Our Guest: Philip Richter is the President and Partner of Hollow Brook Wealth Management where he oversees firm-wide client relations, marketing and business development, and sits on the investment committee. Philip is involved with asset allocation, manager selection, and equity research. Philip previously served on the board of directors of WidePoint Corporation (NYSE: WYY). Currently, Philip sits on the board of the United States Equestrian Team Foundation, the United States Equestrian Federation, Revs Institute, and the Pray Family Foundation. Philip is the Chairman of the Lake Placid Horse Show, and the Treasurer of the Hampton Classic Horse Show. Philip received a BA from Boston College and an MBA from the Stern School of Business at New York University. Philip is a vintage car enthusiast who maintains a collection of modern classics and pre-war motorcycles. He participates in international car shows, hosts the Turtle Invitational (a biennial car show in Bedford, NY), and is a regular contributor to many equine and collector car publications. Philip also competes in equestrian show jumping in the high amateur-owner division.

Celebrity Estates: When Inheritance Hurts More Than It Helps with Don D. Ford III

Money passed down with good intentions can still create conflict, confusion and long-lasting family tension. In this episode of Celebrity Estates, estate planning attorney Don D. Ford III joins the show to examine why more high-net-worth families are choosing to limit inheritances, not out of neglect, but out of concern for the long-term health of their family relationships. The discussion centers on how silence, assumptions and sudden wealth transfers can trigger conflict. Don shares how unequal planning, lack of preparation and delayed conversations frequently lead to disputes between siblings. He also shares real examples showing how family meetings, philanthropy and thoughtful trust structures can reduce confusion and set clearer expectations. Join Senior Editor David Lenok and Don Ford, managing partner at Ford + Bergner, as they unpack the estate planning lessons behind inheritance decisions that are meant to protect families, not divide them. Key takeaways: Why sudden wealth transfers often strain sibling relationships, and how early conversations can reduce resentment How family meetings help define shared values, expectations and long-term intentions around money The difference between equal treatment and fair treatment among children with different abilities Ways philanthropy can unite heirs and create shared purpose beyond personal inheritance Why silence around estate plans often leads to confusion, conflict and costly disputes Resources: Listen to Celebrity Estates on WealthManagement.com Subscribe and listen to Celebrity Estates on Apple Podcasts Subscribe and listen to Celebrity Estates on Spotify Trust and Estates Magazine Connect With David Lenok: david.lenok@informa.com  WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: David Lenok LinkedIn: Informa LinkedIn: WealthManagement Connect With Don Ford: Website: Ford + Bergner LLP LinkedIn: Ford + Bergner LLP LinkedIn: Don D. Ford Email: dford@fordbergner.com  About Our Guest: Don D. Ford is the managing partner of Ford + Bergner, an estate planning and probate law firm with offices in Houston, Dallas, and Austin. His practice focuses on guiding families through complex estate planning, probate administration, and guardianship matters, particularly for high-net-worth households. Board-certified in estate planning and probate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Don is also trained in mediation and has served on the state guardianship certification board, where he helped shape policy and oversight for professional guardians.

Celebrity Estates: The Estate Lessons Behind Jean-Michel Basquiat with Doug Woodham

Stories about legacy often reveal more than the moments that made someone known.  In this episode of Celebrity Estates, author and advisor Doug Woodham joins the show to explore how Jean-Michel Basquiat’s unexpected passing set off a chain of estate challenges tied to illiquid assets, sudden value changes and family decisions. Doug explains how the absence of a will, a large collection of artwork and a fast-rising market created valuation hurdles, tax pressure and liquidity strain. He also shares how disputes, incomplete records and shifting asset values shaped the long-term direction of the estate. Join Senior Editor David Lenok and Doug Woodham, managing partner at Art Fiduciary Advisors, as they break down the estate lessons behind one of the most unusual art legacies in recent history. Key takeaways include: Illiquid assets, volatile markets and rapid posthumous value growth Blockage discounts and how large holdings of one artist complicate valuations Family dynamics, estranged parents and unexpected inheritance patterns IRS disputes, liquidity strain and complex tax negotiations How Basquiat’s sisters eventually managed a growing licensing business Resources: Listen to Celebrity Estates on WealthManagement.com Subscribe and listen to Celebrity Estates on Apple Podcasts Subscribe and listen to Celebrity Estates on Spotify Trust and Estates Magazine Book: Jean-­Michel Basquiat: The Making of an Icon by Doug Woodham Book: Art Collecting Today: Market Insights for Everyone Passionate about Art by Doug Woodham Connect With David Lenok: david.lenok@informa.com  WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: David Lenok LinkedIn: Informa LinkedIn: WealthManagement Connect With Doug Woodham: Website: Doug Woodham LinkedIn: Art Fiduciary Advisors LinkedIn: Doug Woodham About Our Guest: Doug Woodham is Managing Partner of Art Fiduciary Advisors and the former President of the Americas for Christie’s, the international auction house. Earlier in his career, he was a partner at McKinsey & Company, advising asset management and wealth management firms across the U.S., Europe, and Asia. He holds a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Michigan and is the author of Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Making of an Icon (Thames & Hudson; 2025) and Art Collecting Today: Market Insights for Everyone Passionate About Art (Allworth Press, 2017).

Celebrity Estates: The Lessons Behind Gene Hackman’s Estate with Victoria Gray

On this episode of the Celebrity Estates podcast, Victoria Gray, founder and principal of Insight Art & Collectibles Advisory, once again joins WealthManagement.com Senior Editor David Lenok to examine the tragic and complex estate of actor Gene Hackman, a case where timing, trust gaps and estranged heirs collided. From an $80 million fortune and a decades-old will to simultaneous death rules and charitable trusts, Victoria unpacks how not regularly updating the estate plan shaped the outcome. Drawing on her years advising fiduciaries and families, she explains why ongoing estate reviews, succession planning and clear documentation are critical to preserving both wealth and intent. Key Takeaways: The impact of failing to update an estate plan for nearly two decades How simultaneous death laws can complicate estate distribution The role of trusts in preventing intestacy and potential family disputes The importance of successor trustees and contingency planning How art, memorabilia and even Oscars factor into estate valuations. Resources: Listen to Celebrity Estates on WealthManagement.com Subscribe and listen to Celebrity Estates on Apple Podcasts Subscribe and listen to Celebrity Estates on Spotify Trust and Estates Magazine Celebrity Estates: The Art of Celebrity Auctions with Victoria Gray Connect With David Lenok: david.lenok@informa.com  WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: David Lenok LinkedIn: Informa LinkedIn: WealthManagement Connect With Victoria Gray: Website: Insight Art & Collectibles Advisory LinkedIn: Insight Art & Collectibles Advisory LinkedIn: Victoria Gray About Our Guest: Victoria Gray is one of the art market’s most trusted and accomplished insiders, bringing more than two decades of high-stakes experience to the sale and stewardship of the world’s most coveted tangible assets. As the Founder of Insight Art & Collectibles Advisory, she serves a global clientele navigating the complexities of selling fine art, jewelry, watches, wine, classic cars, and other collectible property, ensuring every transaction is executed flawlessly, strategically, and to maximum advantage. Before launching Insight, Victoria spent over 20 years at Bonhams, one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious auction houses, rising to Deputy Chairman of North America, while starting her career at Sotheby’s, a leading global auction house. During her tenure, she served as Senior Vice President, Managing Director of the Valuations, Trusts & Estates Department, and Head of Office for Bonhams San Francisco. She also built and led Bonhams’ Trusts & Estates presence in New York, forging deep relationships with elite trust & estate attorneys, fiduciaries, wealth managers, and family offices nationwide.