Gayle Peterson-Gillen MBA, CRPC, CDFA - Financial Advisor

08/28/2026

Managing your finances on your own comes with unique opportunities—and unique responsibilities. Whether you're single by choice, divorced or widowed, having a thoughtful financial strategy can help you stay focused on your goals.

This article explores practical ideas like building an emergency fund, investing for the future, planning for unexpected events and keeping your long-term priorities in focus. Read more here:

Explore how to independently build wealth and achieve more financial confidence on your own terms.

08/26/2026

Some women enter divorce after years of relying on a spouse to manage the household finances.

That does not mean they cannot learn. It means the starting point may be different.

Begin with basic questions:

• Where are the financial accounts held?
• What income enters the household each month?
• Which bills are paid automatically?
• What property and debts are jointly or individually titled?
• Are there pensions, stock awards or other employment benefits?
• Which insurance policies are currently in place?
• Who are the named beneficiaries?

You do not need to understand every financial concept on the first day. Start by identifying the information and building from there.
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08/21/2026

After a divorce, were all awarded assets actually transferred?

In some cases, years pass before someone discovers that a pension, retirement account or other benefit mentioned during the divorce was never properly addressed.

That can happen when someone is overwhelmed, does not understand the paperwork or assumes another professional is handling the transfer.

For those who have previously divorced, it may be useful to revisit the settlement documents and ask:

• Were retirement assets divided as intended?
• Were required forms completed?
• Were all accounts retitled or transferred?
• Is there documentation confirming completion?
https://bit.ly/4gaGGNZ

08/14/2026

Divorce can require people to make significant financial decisions during an emotionally demanding period.

One useful principle is to separate the collection of information from the decision itself.

Before deciding how an asset should be handled, consider asking:

• What is the asset worth today?
• How is it titled?
• Are there taxes or restrictions associated with it?
• What would each available option mean over time?
• Which professional should help evaluate it?

Information may not make the decision easy, but it can help make the available choices clearer.
https://bit.ly/3TX7LeQ

08/10/2026

Divorce involves legal and emotional decisions, but it also requires a clear understanding of the financial picture.

Before making long-term decisions, it may be helpful to gather:

• Bank and investment account statements
• Retirement-plan and pension information
• Recent tax returns
• Property and debt records
• Insurance and beneficiary documents

Having organized information can make conversations with attorneys, mediators and financial professionals more productive.

The goal is not to make every decision immediately. It is to understand what you have, what questions remain and which details may require additional review.
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07/29/2026

One of the things I enjoy about summer is that it naturally creates space for reflection.

Vacations, longer days, and time away from routines often give people an opportunity to think about questions they may not have time to consider during the rest of the year.

Where do I want to be in five years?

What changes do I want to make?

What matters most?

Sometimes the best planning starts with asking better questions.
https://bit.ly/4z2kqNI

07/24/2026

What Makes Someone Reach Out for Help?

An interesting observation:

Most people don't seek financial guidance when everything is going perfectly.

They reach out when life changes.

A divorce.
The loss of a spouse.
A career transition.
An inheritance.
Retirement.

Life transitions often create moments where people recognize the value of having someone help them organize information, evaluate options, and move forward thoughtfully.
https://bit.ly/4fiV4mO

07/21/2026

After losing a spouse, many people are suddenly responsible for decisions they never expected to manage alone.

There is often a long list of financial items that require attention, including:

Beneficiary updates
Social Security considerations
Insurance reviews
Estate settlement matters
Account ownership changes

The process can feel overwhelming.

One step at a time is often the best approach.
https://bit.ly/4h8r2Uj

07/18/2026

One thing I've learned over the years:

Many financial decisions aren't really about money.

They're about uncertainty.
Loss.
Change.
Fear.
Opportunity.

Especially during transitions such as divorce, widowhood, or retirement, emotions often influence decision-making just as much as numbers do.

Acknowledging that reality is often the first step toward making thoughtful decisions.
https://bit.ly/4wQbgSy

07/15/2026

Divorce can feel overwhelming, especially when financial questions start to surface. Having the right information can help bring clarity during a time of change.

I’ve created a resource:
The Smart Women’s Guide to Divorce

It covers important financial considerations to be aware of along the way.

Fill out and submit the form to receive this downloadable resource from Gayle Peterson-Gillen