Financially Ever After Widowhood

Stacy Francis

Widowhood is the state of being a widow or widower: a person whose spouse has passed away. This is a situation that no one wants to be in, but it is something that can happen, and that you and your family should be prepared for financially. When this kind of painful, life altering event occurs, it's important to have the structure in place for you and your family to be protected, and this year on Financially Ever After Widowhood, Stacy Francis is going to be talking to a diverse lineup of experts, and individuals who have gone through it themselves, to give you the tools and information you need to be prepared. Prior to this year's series on Widowhood, Financially Ever After covered topics related to divorce. We invite you to check out these fantastic episodes if they are relevant to you.

  1. 3D AGO

    The Ex Inheritance Problem with Natalie Colley

    Could one outdated beneficiary form completely override your will, your divorce agreement, and everything you thought you had buttoned up? It sounds small. Administrative. Boring, even. But beneficiary designations are one of the most powerful and most overlooked pieces of your financial life. In this episode, Stacy and Natalie break down why updating beneficiaries after divorce (or any major life transition) isn’t "housekeeping." It’s a priority for protecting yourself, your kids, and the future. From ERISA plans to minor children inheriting assets to life insurance in divorce settlements, this conversation pulls back the curtain on the real-world mistakes and how to avoid them. You’ll hear them discuss: Why beneficiary designations override your will and are first in line legally when assets are distributed Which accounts require beneficiaries (retirement accounts, life insurance, brokerage accounts, bank accounts with POD/TOD, and more) The difference between primary and contingent beneficiaries - and why not listing both can force assets into probate What happens if you die without a will or updated beneficiaries, including how state law may split assets in ways you never intended Why leaving assets directly to minor children can trigger court involvement, restrictions, and expensive legal oversight How trusts give you control over how and when children receive money and why they’re not just for the ultra-wealthy How divorce impacts beneficiaries, including automatic revocation laws, ERISA plans like 401(k)s that follow federal rules, and how life insurance should be structured to protect child or spousal support Resources Natalie Colley on FrancisFinancial.com⁠ | ⁠LinkedIn⁠ | Email Stacy Francis on LinkedIn | X(Twitter) | Email FrancisFinancial.com Reach out to receive a complimentary consultation! Contact Francis Financial at +212-374-9008 or visit Francis Financial today!

    36 min

  2. FEB 17

    The Widow’s Tax Shift: What Happens to Your Taxes After Your Spouse Passes Away with Allen Sakon

    Taxes. Filing status. Adjusted gross income. Capital gains. Just reading those words can make you want to close the tab and deal with it “later.” But here’s the truth: taxes change after widowhood. Sometimes in ways no one warns you about. Filing status shifts. Income is calculated differently. Survivor benefits can become taxable. And all of it is happening while you’re navigating one of the hardest transitions of your life. In this episode, Stacy Francis and Allen Sakkon walk through what really happens to your tax situation after the loss of a spouse - in plain language - so you can feel more confident, ask better questions, and avoid costly surprises. You’ll hear them discuss: How your filing status works in the year your spouse passes, and what changes in the years that follow (including qualifying surviving spouse and head of household) Why your adjusted gross income (AGI) is such a powerful number and how it affects Social Security taxation, Medicare premiums, and eligibility for credits and deductions When and why Social Security survivor benefits become partially taxable and how timing major financial decisions can help What cost basis means, how the step-up in basis works at death, and why it can dramatically reduce capital gains taxes on a home or investment account How selling a house or investments in the wrong year can unexpectedly spike your income and how to think strategically about timing The most commonly missed deductions after a spouse’s death, including medical expenses, property taxes, mortgage interest, charitable gifts, and capital loss carry-forwards One simple habit - tracking your income deposits —-that can help you regain control and make your tax return far less intimidating Resources Allen Sakon on LinkedIn⁠ | Email Stacy Francis on LinkedIn | X(Twitter) | Email FrancisFinancial.com Reach out to receive a complimentary consultation! Contact Francis Financial at +212-374-9008 or visit Francis Financial today!

    48 min

  3. FEB 3

    Why Pre-Planning Your Funeral is an Act of Love with Frances Cangero

    Nobody wants to talk about death - until they’re sitting in a funeral home, numb, grieving, and trying to guess what their loved one would have wanted. This episode pulls back the curtain on a topic most families avoid, even though avoiding it often creates more pain, confusion, and guilt later. Stacy sits down with Frances Cangero, director of advanced planning at the Frank Campbell Funeral Chapel, to talk honestly about funeral pre-planning, why it’s actually an act of love, and how having these conversations early can spare your family emotional and financial stress when it matters most. You’ll hear them discuss: Why funeral planning is one of the most overlooked parts of estate planning How grief makes decision-making harder and why planning ahead changes everything The real story behind burial vs. cremation and why more families are choosing cremation Common misconceptions about pre-planning, including the idea that it’s “only for the elderly” How much flexibility exists in funeral planning, from simple services to deeply personal details What prepaying actually means, how pricing is protected from inflation, and where the money is held Why keeping ashes without a plan can unintentionally pass stress to the next generation How family conflict can arise when wishes aren’t clearly documented The importance of naming someone with legal authority to control final arrangements Why having these conversations is a gift to the people you love - not something morbid or scary Resources Frances Cangero on Frank E. Campbell Funeral Chapel | Office number: 212-288-3500 | Cell number: 631-860-4878 | Email: frances.cangero@dignitymemorial.com | LinkedIn Stacy Francis on LinkedIn | X(Twitter) | Email FrancisFinancial.com Reach out to receive a complimentary consultation! Contact Francis Financial at +212-374-9008 or visit Francis Financial today!

    38 min

  4. JAN 20

    Using Trusts to Protect Your Legacy with Shamisa Zvoma

    Is your money really going where you want it to when you’re gone, or are taxes, outdated documents, and lack of planning quietly deciding for you? In this episode, I sit down with CPA and estate planning expert Shamisa Zvoma to unpack the truths most people miss about trusts, gifting, tax strategy, and why estate planning isn’t just for the ultra-wealthy. We talk about control, protection, legacy, and the narrow window many families are overlooking right now that could cost them millions down the road. You’ll hear us discuss: Why trusts aren’t just for wealthy families and how they give you control long after you’re gone The biggest misconceptions people have about estate planning and taxes How trusts can protect assets from creditors, divorce, and poor timing Why giving money outright isn’t always the smartest move How lifetime gifting can dramatically reduce future estate taxes The annual gifting limits and how couples can maximize them How paying tuition or medical bills can reduce your estate without triggering gift taxes Why estate plans should be reviewed every 3–5 years (and after major life changes) Real-life examples of what goes wrong when plans aren’t updated How state estate taxes can create major surprises even when federal taxes don’t apply Resources Shamisa Zvoma on LinkedIn | Phone: 212-605-3182 | Email Stacy Francis on LinkedIn | X(Twitter) | Email FrancisFinancial.com Reach out to receive a complimentary consultation! Contact Francis Financial at +212-374-9008 or visit Francis Financial today!

    32 min

  5. JAN 6

    Rebuilding Without a Map with Merritt Minnemeyer

    How do you rebuild a life when everything you planned disappears overnight — and you’re suddenly responsible for three children, major financial decisions, and a future you never asked for? In this deeply moving conversation, Stacy sits down with Merritt Minnemeyer to talk about widowhood, intuition, money, and the quiet courage it takes to start again. Merritt shares her journey of losing her husband at a young age, navigating grief while finalizing an adoption, and learning to trust herself when it mattered most. This episode is about survival, reinvention, and the power of listening to that inner voice - even when the path forward feels terrifyingly unclear. You’ll hear them discuss: What it’s really like to have your entire life plan collapse suddenly, and how grief, caregiving, and parenting don’t wait for each other Why crisis often leaves no space for planning and how survival mode can carry you further than you think The emotional moment when holding it all together finally becomes impossible, and why that release matters How life insurance and financial preparation became a lifeline, even when money had never been the focus What it feels like to become the sole financial decision-maker overnight, and the weight that carries Why trusting intuition - especially when choosing advisors and making big moves - can be more powerful than logic alone The long-term lessons about balancing big dreams with practical money management, and why building the right support team changes everything Resources Merritt Minnemeyer on the Web | LinkedIn Stacy Francis on LinkedIn | X(Twitter) | Email FrancisFinancial.com Reach out to receive a complimentary consultation! Contact Francis Financial at +212-374-9008 or visit Francis Financial today!

    37 min

  6. 12/09/2025

    [Replay] Honoring Traditions and Making New Ones This Holiday Season with Jordan Schwartz Hendin

    Cognitive Behavioral and Grief Coach Jordan Schwartz Hendin joins host Stacy Francis to discuss navigating the holidays after losing a spouse. Jordan draws from her personal experiences with grief, having lost her own mother at a young age and supporting her widowed grandmother through multiple losses. Now a professional coach, she works with women struggling with grief and major life transitions. In this week’s show, Jordan and Stacy explore handling loss and loneliness, honoring traditions, and staying financially sound. The holidays can bring up complex emotions such as sadness, anger, and loneliness. This is normal after a major loss. Avoid unhealthy coping strategies like becoming an “isolator” or “doer.” Don’t overcommit to events or hide away alone. Reflect on your core values. Focus on traditions that align with what matters most, like family time. Make new memories and experiences, especially with children. Gift experiences rather than material items.  Have open conversations with family about your grief. Don’t pretend to be okay if you’re not. Manage your finances by focusing on your values, not material possessions. Stick to a budget for holiday gifts and activities. You don’t have to navigate the holidays alone. Seek support from family or a grief counselor during this difficult time. Resources Jordan Schwartz on Website | Instagram | Email | Phone: 917-947-6037   Stacy Francis on LinkedIn | X(Twitter) Email: stacy@francisfinancial.com FrancisFinancial.com Instantly get advice from our guide, Financial Help for Widows, a resource designed for supporting women who need to navigate finances after the loss of a partner. Reach out to receive a complimentary consultation! Contact Francis Financial at +212-374-9008 or visit Francis Financial today!

    38 min

  7. 11/25/2025

    Surviving the Healthcare Maze with Anne McGuire

    Ever feel like the threat of medical bills and confusing insurance rules hangs over every healthcare decision? In this episode, Stacy sits down with healthcare advocate Anne McGuire to bring real clarity to the choices women face after losing a spouse, going through divorce, or suddenly finding themselves uninsured. Together, they break down the systems that feel impossible to navigate and give listeners the confidence to make smart, informed decisions about their coverage and long-term protection. You'll hear them discuss: How losing a spouse, divorcing, or facing a sudden job loss can reshape insurance options overnight What COBRA actually offers, when it makes sense, and why the cost often shocks people The major differences between staying on COBRA and switching to marketplace insurance How Medicare fits into the picture for anyone 65+ experiencing an insurance transition and the deadlines that can’t be missed Why access to existing doctors can disappear with a plan change, and how to protect those relationships What long-term care really covers (and what it doesn’t), especially for women who may age alone How long-term care insurance pays out in real life and why it’s often misunderstood The financial reality of self-insuring long-term care needs versus buying coverage Resources Anne McGuire on the Healthcare Pathfinder | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Stacy Francis on LinkedIn | X(Twitter) | Email FrancisFinancial.com Reach out to receive a complimentary consultation! Contact Francis Financial at +212-374-9008 or visit Francis Financial today!

    40 min

  8. 11/11/2025

    Legacy Planning Series: Episode 3 – Planning Ahead with Clarity

    If the people you love most suddenly had to take over your bills, subscriptions, and everyday logistics — would they know where to begin? In this episode of Financially Ever After Widowhood, Stacy and Natalie break down the most practical (and overlooked) section of the Because I Love You legacy planning guide - the checklist that makes sure nothing slips through the cracks. From credit cards to taxes, monthly bills to healthcare details, they cover how to organise your financial life so your family isn’t left guessing. You’ll hear them discuss: Why it’s essential to list every credit card, where it’s held, and what’s on auto-pay How keeping recent tax returns and your accountant’s info can make estate paperwork so much easier What the “DSUE” actually means and why couples need to pay attention to it How to document monthly expenses and subscriptions so nothing goes unpaid or unnoticed The importance of maintaining an up-to-date contact list for key professionals and family members How to start creating an aging plan that reflects your healthcare needs and wishes Why discussing end-of-life preferences now spares loved ones confusion and conflict later How completing the Because I Love You legacy checklist today can give your family peace of mind tomorrow Resources As you listen to this podcast, you can click here to view slides and follow along visually: ⁠Legacy Planning Webinar 3 ⁠⁠Because I Love You Planning Companion⁠⁠ Natalie Colley on⁠⁠ FrancisFinancial.com⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ Stacy Francis on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ |⁠⁠X(Twitter)⁠⁠ | ⁠stacy@francisfinancial.com⁠⁠⁠stacy@francisfinancial.com⁠⁠ ⁠⁠FrancisFinancial.com⁠⁠ ⁠⁠See All Podcasts

    25 min
See All (219)

4.8
out of 5
39 Ratings

About

Widowhood is the state of being a widow or widower: a person whose spouse has passed away. This is a situation that no one wants to be in, but it is something that can happen, and that you and your family should be prepared for financially. When this kind of painful, life altering event occurs, it's important to have the structure in place for you and your family to be protected, and this year on Financially Ever After Widowhood, Stacy Francis is going to be talking to a diverse lineup of experts, and individuals who have gone through it themselves, to give you the tools and information you need to be prepared. Prior to this year's series on Widowhood, Financially Ever After covered topics related to divorce. We invite you to check out these fantastic episodes if they are relevant to you.

Information

You Might Also Like