Sally Peacock speaks with Zara and Lewis from Hopkins Solicitors as it expands into Derbyshire.  They will be talking about their different roles in the business. Helen Purcell has another business news round up too.

The Erewash Sound Business Show - 29th July 2025

What happens if two people pass away at the same time — like in an accident — and it isn’t clear who died first? While it’s something most families never imagine, these rare situations can raise surprisingly complex legal questions.
In this week’s episode of Brisbane’s Legal Lowdown on 4BC, Attwood Marshall Lawyers’ Estate Litigation Senior Associate, Duncan MacDougall joins Sofie Formica to talk about how the law deals with succession and inheritance when multiple family members are involved in the same tragedy.
The conversation covers:
•	The rules around simultaneous deaths – including the legal presumption that the younger person is deemed to have survived the older if the order of death is unclear.
•	Why order of death matters and how it can completely change who inherits, especially in blended families.
•	Survivorship rules and clauses in Wills including the legislated 30-day rule and how tailored clauses can provide certainty.
•	Challenges with jointly owned property and what happens when assets automatically pass to the presumed survivor, potentially cutting out one side of the family.
•	Intestacy complications and how matters are dealt with if someone hasn’t made a Will at all.
•	Why DIY Will kits often fail to cover these scenarios, and how speaking to an experienced estate planning lawyer can avoid disputes, delays, and unintended outcomes.
This episode highlights that succession planning isn’t just for the wealthy or high-profile families. Even everyday families can face unexpected complications if clear instructions or contingency plans aren’t set out in a Will. Having those conversations early and getting the right legal advice can make all the difference in protecting your loved ones.


10th Sep 2025 - Duncan MacDougall - Brisbane's Legal Lowdown

Ozzy Osbourne left behind more than music when he passed away at 76. His $250 million fortune, blended family and valuable music royalties raise pressing estate planning questions that extend far beyond celebrity headlines.

Tasha Dickinson, partner at Day Pitney LLP, shares how advisors can address family conflict, use independent fiduciaries and manage complex assets like royalties. She highlights the crucial role of communication and expectation-setting in preventing disputes.

Join WealthManagement.com Senior Editor David Lenok and Tasha for a compelling conversation on the lessons Ozzy’s estate offers for families and advisors alike.

Tasha discusses:

- The unique estate challenges faced by blended families and strategies to reduce conflict
- The importance of appointing an independent fiduciary rather than family members to administer estates
- How communication and expectation-setting can prevent litigation
- The complications of managing royalties, intellectual property and other nontraditional assets
- Why advisors should work as a unified team with attorneys and CPAs early in the planning process
- And more!

Resources:

Listen to Celebrity Estates on WealthManagement.com: https://bit.ly/3GAVENN 
Subscribe and listen to Celebrity Estates on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/4m263CC 
Subscribe and listen to Celebrity Estates on Spotify: https://bit.ly/42V80b7 
Trust and Estates Magazine: https://bit.ly/3XXqoPn 

Connect With David Lenok:

david.lenok@informa.com 
https://www.wealthmanagement.com/ 
LinkedIn: David Lenok: https://bit.ly/DavidLenokLI 
LinkedIn: Informa: https://bit.ly/InformaLI 
LinkedIn: WealthManagement: https://bit.ly/WealthManagementLI 

Connect With Tasha Dickinson:
 
Website: Day Pitney LLP - https://www.daypitney.com/ 
LinkedIn: Day Pitney LLP - https://www.linkedin.com/company/day-pitney-llp 
LinkedIn: Tasha Dickinson - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tashadickinson 

About Our Guest:

Tasha Dickinson, a Florida Bar Board Certified Wills, Trusts and Estates Lawyer, exclusively represents individuals and families in sophisticated estate planning and estate/trust administration. She has extensive experience with complex wealth preservation strategies, business succession planning, and charitable planning. She represents fiduciaries in complicated estate and trust administration matters. Tasha has developed a niche working with family offices and has written and lectured extensively on residency planning.

Celebrity Estates: Legacy Lessons from Ozzy Osbourne

Although beneficiary designations avoid probate, it is often best to have your assets pass by will or trust since protection is often needed for your beneficiaries ranging from disability to tax planning.

10 Reasons Why Wills and Trusts are Often Better than Beneficiary Designations

Giorgio Armani left behind more than fashion when he passed away at 91. His $12 billion empire, absence of direct heirs and a carefully crafted foundation raise essential estate planning lessons that extend beyond celebrity headlines.

Kevin Ghassomian, partner at Venable LLP, explains how Armani separated wealth from control, empowered trusted collaborators, and institutionalized his brand to ensure continuity. He emphasizes the importance of early planning, communication and mission-driven structures in preserving wealth and vision.

Join WealthManagement.com Senior Editor David Lenok and Kevin for a compelling discussion on the lasting lessons Armani’s estate provides for families, advisors and business owners alike.
Key takeaways:

- Armani’s early planning, which began in 2016, allowed for a structured succession strategy
- The separation of personal assets from business assets to protect brand identity
- The creation of a foundation to act as the steward of Armani’s legacy, ensuring mission-driven continuity
- The benefits and challenges of planning without a spouse or children, highlighting freedom vs. overwhelm
- Practical lessons business owners of all sizes can apply, such as buy-sell agreements, trusts and meaningful communication.

Resources:

Listen to Celebrity Estates on WealthManagement.com: https://bit.ly/3GAVENN 
Subscribe and listen to Celebrity Estates on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/4m263CC 
Subscribe and listen to Celebrity Estates on Spotify: https://bit.ly/42V80b7 
Trust and Estates Magazine: https://bit.ly/3XXqoPn 

Connect With David Lenok:

david.lenok@informa.com 
https://www.wealthmanagement.com/ 
LinkedIn: David Lenok: https://bit.ly/DavidLenokLI 
LinkedIn: Informa: https://bit.ly/InformaLI 
LinkedIn: WealthManagement: https://bit.ly/WealthManagementLI 

Connect With Kevin Ghassomian:
 
Website: Venable LLP - https://www.venable.com/ 
LinkedIn: Venable LLP - https://www.linkedin.com/company/venablellp/ 
LinkedIn: Kevin Ghassomian - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-ghassomian-0363233/ 

About Our Guest:

Kevin Ghassomian focuses his practice on the personal legal needs of business owners, corporate executives, high-net-worth individuals, and their families. Kevin's representation covers all aspects of domestic and international estate planning, with an emphasis on tax minimization, asset protection, business succession, and philanthropy. Kevin also counsels individual and corporate fiduciaries on the administration of trusts and estates, including the preparation of gift and estate tax returns and defense of positions taken on those returns.

Kevin previously worked in the New York City headquarters of a global investment company, where he counseled a multinational client base on complex wealth management matters, including foreign and domestic trust planning and related asset allocation strategies. Kevin leverages this background to collaborate with tax, investment, and insurance advisors, ensuring that their work is effectively integrated into the planning process.

In addition to his law practice, Kevin is a frequent speaker, a published author, and a former professor of law, concentrating his scholarship on estate planning, taxation, and various wealth management topics. He also devotes time to numerous civic and charitable causes, maintaining leadership positions on several nonprofit boards.

Celebrity Estates: Giorgio Armani’s $12B Legacy and Succession Plan

Most families put off estate planning until it is too late. In this episode, Colin Richards and Dylan Schoonover break down what really matters so you can protect the people and causes you care about and keep more of your wealth.

What you will learn:
• The core documents every family needs now, not later
• Why a will is a backstop and how trusts can simplify transfers
• Power of Attorney and advance directives that protect you while you are alive
• How to title accounts and set beneficiaries to avoid probate delays and fees
• When a revocable vs irrevocable trust makes sense
• Common mistakes that leave heirs with taxes, court time, and conflict

About the show: The Lord and Richards Show helps you become more financially independent from a biblical point of view and prosper in good markets and bad.

Next step: Ask about our free estate plan program for most new clients and start your Retirement Freedom Review.

Learn more at: https://lordandrichards.com/

Call for your complimentary Retirement Freedom Review: 720-372-0400

Investment Advisory Services offered through Lord and Richards Wealth Management, LLC, a registered investment advisor.

Estate Planning 101: Avoid Probate, Update Beneficiaries, and Protect Your Legacy

Life changes, and your estate plan should change with it. Attorney Matthew Erskine joins the Celebrity Estates podcast to explain why estate planning is never a “set it and forget it” process, but a lifelong practice that evolves alongside major milestones.

Matthew walks through key life events from marriage and divorce to relocation and retirement and shares how each can reshape a client’s estate strategy. Drawing from years of experience, he highlights how small updates, communication and awareness of changes in the law can prevent major family disputes.

Join Senior Editor David Lenok and Matthew Erskine, ower of The Erksine Company, as they discuss how to keep estate plans living, relevant and aligned with every stage of life.

David and Matthew discuss:

- Why every major life event, from marriage to relocation, should trigger a review of your estate plan
- The importance of communication between family members to avoid future conflicts
- How to handle estate planning for beneficiaries facing personal challenges
- The impact of tax and law changes on existing estate documents
- Why advisors should treat estate plans as “living documents” and revisit them annually

Resources:

Listen to Celebrity Estates on WealthManagement.com: https://bit.ly/3GAVENN 
Subscribe and listen to Celebrity Estates on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/4m263CC 
Subscribe and listen to Celebrity Estates on Spotify: https://bit.ly/42V80b7 
Trust and Estates Magazine: https://bit.ly/3XXqoPn 
Estate Plan Update Checklist by Matthew Erskine: https://bit.ly/4op84Ji 

Connect With David Lenok:

david.lenok@informa.com 
https://www.wealthmanagement.com/ 
LinkedIn: David Lenok: https://bit.ly/DavidLenokLI 
LinkedIn: Informa: https://bit.ly/InformaLI 
LinkedIn: WealthManagement: https://bit.ly/WealthManagementLI 

Connect With Matthew Erskine:
 
Erskine & Erskine - https://www.erskineanderskine.com/ 
LinkedIn: The Erskine Company - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-erskine-company/ 
LinkedIn: Matthew Erskine - https://www.linkedin.com/in/erskineco/ 

About Our Guest:

Matthew F. Erskine is an approachable, empathic estate and succession planning attorney who creatively and holistically solves families' unique asset and estate needs. He is the fourth generation of lawyers known for integrity and personal service. Matt concentrates on providing legal and fiduciary services for families with basic estates as well as real estate, unique assets, or a family business. Unlike most trust and estate attorneys, Matt's focus is on ensuring financial security while preserving the ownership of unique but often illiquid assets for the client and family.

Celebrity Estates: Updating Estate Plans Through Life’s Milestones

Family drama doesn’t end when the spotlight fades.

On this episode of the Celebrity Estates podcast, litigator Michael Napoleone joins Wealthmanagement.com Senior Editor David Lenok to unpack the bitter dispute over actor John Amos’s estate, and what it reveals about aging, trust and family dynamics.

From allegations of elder abuse and undue influence to sibling rivalries turned legal battles, Michael shares what really happens when communication and transparency break down. Drawing on years in the courtroom, he explains why longer lifespans, cognitive decline and blended families are fueling a rise in inheritance disputes — and how proactive planning can protect both wealth and relationships.

Key Takeaways:

- Why family disputes over caregiving and inheritance are rising as people live longer and cognitive decline increases
- How isolation, blended families and uneven caregiving fuel mistrust and legal challenges
- The difference between exploitation claims (while alive) and undue influence claims (after  death)
- The crucial role of fiduciaries and when a neutral party may prevent emotional and financial fallout
- Why clear communication about estate intentions can prevent surprise, resentment, and years of litigation

Resources:

Listen to Celebrity Estates on WealthManagement.com: https://bit.ly/3GAVENN 
Subscribe and listen to Celebrity Estates on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/4m263CC 
Subscribe and listen to Celebrity Estates on Spotify: https://bit.ly/42V80b7 
Trust and Estates Magazine: https://bit.ly/3XXqoPn 

Connect With David Lenok:

david.lenok@informa.com 
https://www.wealthmanagement.com/ 
LinkedIn: David Lenok: https://bit.ly/DavidLenokLI 
LinkedIn: Informa: https://bit.ly/InformaLI 
LinkedIn: WealthManagement: https://bit.ly/WealthManagementLI 

Connect With Michael Napoleone:
 
Day Pitney, LLP - https://www.daypitney.com/ 
LinkedIn: Day Pitney, LLP - https://www.linkedin.com/company/day-pitney-llp/ 
LinkedIn: Michael Napoleone - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mjnapoleone/ 

About Our Guest:

Michael Napoleone is a seasoned litigator with a proven track record of success representing businesses, individuals, and fiduciaries in complex, high-stakes disputes. He has litigated a wide array of matters, including theft of trade secrets, corporate shareholder disputes, contested wills and trusts, claims of fiduciary misconduct, land use conflicts, and high-value real estate litigation. His extensive courtroom experience spans jury trials, bench trials, appeals, and alternative dispute resolution forums such as arbitration and mediation.

Known for his strategic approach and persuasive advocacy, Michael is regularly called upon to handle cases where the outcome is critical and the legal issues are complex. His clients rely on him not only for his legal acumen but also for his ability to navigate sensitive, high-conflict situations with clarity and confidence.

In addition to his legal practice, Michael has held many leadership roles within the legal profession and local government. He is a past president of the Palm Beach County Bar Association and served on the Executive Board of the Palm Beach County Early Learning Coalition. He currently serves as the elected Mayor of the Village of Wellington, Second Vice President of the Palm Beach County League of Cities, and on the Executive Board of the Palm Beach County Transportation Planning Agency - positions that reflect his dedication to public service and his deep understanding of governmental and regulatory systems.

Michael's dual background as a skilled courtroom advocate and respected civic leader makes him a trusted advisor in both legal and policy arenas.

Celebrity Estates: The John Amos Estate Dispute with Michael Napoleone

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: https://bit.ly/3GAVENN 
Subscribe and listen to Celebrity Estates on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/4m263CC 
Subscribe and listen to Celebrity Estates on Spotify: https://bit.ly/42V80b7 
Trust and Estates Magazine: https://bit.ly/3XXqoPn 
Celebrity Estates: The Art of Celebrity Auctions with Victoria Gray: https://bit.ly/4hy7fLQ 

Connect With David Lenok:

david.lenok@informa.com 
https://www.wealthmanagement.com/ 
LinkedIn: David Lenok: https://bit.ly/DavidLenokLI 
LinkedIn: Informa: https://bit.ly/InformaLI 
LinkedIn: WealthManagement: https://bit.ly/WealthManagementLI 

Connect With Victoria Gray:
 
Website: Insight Art & Collectibles Advisory - https://insightartadvisory.com/ 
LinkedIn: Insight Art & Collectibles Advisory - https://www.linkedin.com/company/insight-art-advisory/ 
LinkedIn: Victoria Gray - https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-gray-3612a05/ 

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.

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

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: https://bit.ly/3GAVENN 
Subscribe and listen to Celebrity Estates on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/4m263CC 
Subscribe and listen to Celebrity Estates on Spotify: https://bit.ly/42V80b7 
Trust and Estates Magazine: https://bit.ly/3XXqoPn 
Book: Jean-­Michel Basquiat: The Making of an Icon by Doug Woodham - https://amzn.to/48BUUm7 
Book: Art Collecting Today: Market Insights for Everyone Passionate about Art by Doug Woodham - https://amzn.to/3Mjb0sZ 

Connect With David Lenok:

david.lenok@informa.com 
https://www.wealthmanagement.com/ 
LinkedIn: David Lenok: https://bit.ly/DavidLenokLI 
LinkedIn: Informa: https://bit.ly/InformaLI 
LinkedIn: WealthManagement: https://bit.ly/WealthManagementLI 

Connect With Doug Woodham:
 
Website: Doug Woodham - https://dougwoodham.com/ 
LinkedIn: Art Fiduciary Advisors - https://www.linkedin.com/company/art-fiduciary-advisors/ 
LinkedIn: Doug Woodham - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougwoodham/ 

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 Estate Lessons Behind Jean-Michel Basquiat with Doug Woodham

Love Music - Love Erewash: Erewash Sound is the local radio station for the Derbyshire borough of Erewash, run by local people from studios in Ilkeston.

Our 'Listen Again' service is powered-by SoundCloud, meaning you never need to miss what's happening on your doorstep with interviews, features and shows available for you to listen to whenever it suits you.

You can find our live broadcasts 24/7 on 103.5 and 96.8 FM, online at erewashsound.com, on our free to download app and on your smartspeaker - ask it to "Play Erewash Sound".

Michael B. Cohen is an elder law attorney whose Dallas law practice focuses on the legal needs of the disabled and elderly, including estate and Medicaid and other public benefits (such as Veterans benefits) planning. He is a frequent speaker on these topics.

Lord and Richards is a firm dedicated to helping people become more financially independent and better able to cope with the changing world around them from a biblical point of view.

Need a good lawyer?
We are here to help you. 
Attwood Marshall Lawyers, est 1946.
Phone 1800 621 071 today.
www.attwoodmarshall.com.au

New tracks tagged #Wills