03/11/2026
Over the past several months, I’ve been spending a lot of time sitting in my mom’s kitchen helping her navigate life after my stepdad passed away.
Losing a spouse is one of life’s hardest transitions. Sitting with my mom during this time has reminded me how many financial responsibilities couples quietly divide between them over the years.
When one person is suddenly gone, the shift can feel overwhelming.
Suddenly one person is responsible for things like:
• managing accounts
• making investment decisions
• navigating taxes
• planning for healthcare
• making long-term financial decisions
Even as a financial advisor, experiencing this in my own family has been eye-opening.
There are also financial realities many families don’t expect.
For example, when a spouse dies the surviving spouse usually goes from Married Filing Jointly to Single, which can increase taxes — something often called the “widow’s penalty.”
And because women tend to live longer than men, many women end up managing finances on their own for years.
Helping my mom through this season has reinforced something I’ve always believed:
Financial planning isn’t just about numbers.
It’s about helping people have clarity and confidence through life transitions.
If you’ve ever wondered what your financial life would look like if you suddenly had to manage everything on your own, it’s a worthwhile conversation to have.
I’m always happy to talk.
