✪ Anna became a widow at 47

Helping widows find their footing after loss. (This conversation happened over a year ago)

Anna never imagined becoming a widow at 47. Four months after losing her husband, Mark, Anna’s friends expected her to be “getting back to normal”—but nothing felt normal at all. Bills were scattered, paperwork piled up, and the fog made even simple decisions feel impossible.

Her cousin Emily, who’d been through this herself a year before, urged her: “Call Rick. He helped me when I didn’t know which way was up.”

So, Anna did.

“I don’t know where to begin.”

Anna: "Rick, I sit down to sort things out and I freeze. I’m terrified of making the wrong decision. I get unsolicited advice from family members and friends on what I should be doing. My brother-in-law tells me I should sell the house."

Rick: "Anna, that’s completely normal. The early months after losing a spouse are about stabilizing, not making life-changing decisions. We’ll go step-by-step so nothing gets missed and nothing gets rushed. Many times advice is meant well from friends and family however, I feel it is imperative big decisions like selling a house should wait."

What Widows Should Focus on First

Cash Flow & Monthly Bills

Rick: "First, let's make sure the basics are covered—mortgage, utilities, insurance, and any auto-payments tied to Mark’s accounts.

Anna: "I’m not even sure everything that was on his credit card."

Rick: "That’s okay. We’ll list everything out together"

2. Benefits You May Be Entitled To

Life insurance
Employer benefits
Final paycheck or unused vacation time
Survivor Social Security (later, when timing is right)

3. Accounts & Estate Details

Rick: "We’ll gather everything—retirement accounts, bank accounts, investment accounts—and figure out what needs to be retitled and what needs action. Some things can wait, which is important."

4. Don’t Make Big Decisions Yet

Rick: "As mentioned, avoid big moves—selling the house, changing jobs, lending money, investing large sums. These emotions you are feeling are still new. We’ll revisit these later when you feel clearer and time has passed a bit."

5. Start Laying the Groundwork for the Future

Once the dust settles, we’ll look at:

How much you need in savings
What retirement looks like now
How to invest wisely
Updating your beneficiaries and estate documents

Anna: "It feels overwhelming."

Rick: "You won’t do it alone. We’ll work through it at your pace."

Below is a checklist to help you keep on track. There is no specific timeline as everyone I’ve worked with is different. Working together, we will go at a pace that feels right for you.

Widow’s Financial Checklist

A simple roadmap for the first year

Immediate (0–3 months)

☐ Collect key documents (death certificate, will, statements)
☐ Make a list of all bills and auto-payments
☐ Contact employer HR for any benefits due
☐ Ensure health insurance coverage continues
☐ Avoid major decisions (selling home, changing investments)
☐ Start a folder for questions and documents

Short-Term (3–12 months)

☐ Review and organize all accounts
☐ Decide how to handle life insurance proceeds
☐ Look at timing for survivor Social Security benefits
☐ Review tax issues for the year of death
☐ Retitle accounts and update contact information
☐ Establish or rebuild an emergency fund

Longer-Term (12+ months)

☐ Reevaluate housing decisions
☐ Create or update your own will, beneficiaries, POA, health care proxy
☐ Build a long-term financial and investment plan
☐ Plan for retirement and future income needs
☐ Review insurance coverage (life, auto, home, disability)

Anna: “I feel like I can breathe again. I didn’t realize how much I was carrying until we talked."

Rick: "That’s why I’m here. One step at a time, you’ll get your footing back."

Anna: "Now I understand why Emily told me to call you."

📞 If you or someone you know is going through what Anna has, let’s talk. We’ll take a fresh look at where you are today, where you want to be tomorrow, and how to bridge the gap—together. Check back in on December 12th for Part 2 of Anna's story a year later.

Interested in learning more and running things by me? Click HERE to schedule a time for a complimentary call.

Rick Fingerman, CFP®, CDFA®, CCPS®, is a founding and managing partner at Financial Planning Solutions, LLC. He has been helping individuals and families make sound financial decisions for over 30 years. Rick has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Retirement Daily, Investment News, The Boston Globe, Investopedia, Financial Advisor Magazine, Financial Experts Network, and the Chicago Tribune.

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Know someone that recently loss a spouse? Here is an article that may be of interest.....The Loss of a Spouse

Disclaimer -An individual's experience may vary based on their individual circumstances. It is always best to seek the guidance of a Certified Financial Planner® practitioner before making major financial decisions. Names have been changed.

Financial Planning Solutions, LLC (FPS) is a Registered Investment Advisor. Financial Planning Solutions, LLC (FPS) provides this blog for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this blog should be considered investment, tax, or legal advice. FPS only renders personalized advice to each client. Information herein includes opinions and source information that is believed to be reliable. However, such information may not be independently verified by FPS. Please see important disclosures link at the bottom of this page.