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. 5D AGO

    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

  2. OCT 28

    Legacy Planning Series: Episode 2 – Insurance and Asset Essentials

    Ever think about what would happen if your family suddenly had to figure out your insurance, bills, or assets - without you there to explain it? It’s not fun to imagine, but it’s one of the most loving things you can prepare for. In this episode of Financially Ever After Widowhood, Stacy and Natalie dive into the less-than-glamorous side of legacy planning: getting your insurance and financial details in order so no one’s left guessing in a crisis. Along the way, they share real-life stories, personal slip-ups (yes, including a lost engagement ring), and plenty of practical advice you can actually use. You’ll hear them discuss: - Why it’s not just about what happens after you’re gone, it’s also about being ready if you’re ever incapacitated - How to make sure your health, property, and long-term care insurance are documented and paid up - What COBRA really means when you leave a job or go through a divorce - How long-term care policies work, and what details families often forget to track - What your homeowners, auto, and umbrella insurance *really* cover (and what they don’t) - The simple, yearly habit that keeps your assets and account info easy for loved ones to find - A true story that shows exactly why all this planning matters Resources As you listen to this podcast, you can click here to view slides and follow along visually: Legacy Planning Webinar 2 ⁠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

    33 min

  3. OCT 14

    Legacy Planning Series: Episode 1 – Because I Love You Guide

    What would happen if your ex-spouse were still listed as the beneficiary on your 401(k)? Or if your loved ones couldn’t access your accounts after you’re gone? These are the kinds of oversights that can cause chaos, but they’re also completely preventable with the right planning. In this episode of Financially Ever After Widowhood, Stacy Francis and Natalie Colley break down the essentials of legacy planning - from passwords and beneficiaries to wills and the “Because I Love You” packet - all designed to make life easier for those you love most. It’s not just about money; it’s about leaving clarity, not confusion. You’ll hear them discuss: Why beneficiaries always trump your will (and how that can lead to big surprises) The one thing you should check every year to avoid costly mistakes Simple ways to make sure your loved ones can access your accounts and avoid the nightmare of unclaimed assets How Social Security benefits really work for widows, ex-spouses, and remarried partners The overlooked workplace benefits that could be worth thousands - if your family knows they exist How to avoid the expensive, drawn-out probate process Resources As you listen to this podcast, you can click here to view slides and follow along visually: Legacy Planning Webinar 1 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

    31 min

  4. SEP 30

    The Truth About Trusts with Claire Steinman

    Estate planning isn’t just for billionaires in New York penthouses or “trust fund babies” you’ve only seen in the movies. The truth is, whether you’re raising kids, caring for a loved one with special needs, or simply want to be sure your savings go exactly where you intend, estate planning touches almost everyone. In this episode of Financially Ever After Widowhood, attorney Claire Steinman joins Stacy to take the mystery (and the drama) out of wills, trusts, and gifting strategies. Claire focuses her practice on estate and tax planning, estate administration, and the nonprofit sector, with experience ranging from simple wills and powers of attorney to sophisticated tax minimization strategies and contested probate cases. She also works closely with charitable beneficiaries and not-for-profit organizations on everything from testamentary trusts to federal tax exemptions. Spoiler: this conversation has a lot more peace of mind and a lot less Agatha Christie mayhem. You’ll hear them discuss: Why having even a simple will is essential for nearly everyone, not just the ultra-wealthy How trusts can help protect kids, support loved ones with special needs, and even shield assets from creditors or divorce The surprising flexibility you have in deciding when and how children inherit money Smart ways to gift assets during your lifetime, including the $19,000 annual exclusion and tuition or medical payments made directly How to choose the right trustee, from family members to professional institutions, and the pros and cons of each State-specific estate tax “gotchas” like New York’s infamous cliff tax and inheritance taxes in places like New Jersey and Pennsylvania Why blended families and second marriages absolutely need updated estate plans to avoid family fallout Resources Claire Steinman on the Web | LinkedIn | Email: csteinman@leechtishman.com | Phone: 212-453-1554 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!

    39 min

  5. SEP 16

    What Widows Really Need When They Experience Loss with Amy Woody

    What do you say to someone who’s just lost the love of their life? Is it better to stay quiet for fear of saying the wrong thing, or is silence actually the most painful response of all? In this deeply moving episode of Financially Ever After Widowhood, Stacy Francis sits down with Amy Woody, Director of the Widows Program at Stand in the Gap - and a widow herself - to talk about what real support looks like. Amy opens up about her own journey of losing her husband suddenly at 36, raising her young daughter, and discovering her calling to help other widows. Together, they explore the words and actions that truly matter when someone’s world has been turned upside down. You’ll hear them discuss: Why saying something is always better than saying nothing, even if it’s simply “I’m so sorry” The harm of avoiding the “elephant in the room” and how acknowledging loss brings comfort Practical, concrete ways to help - from mowing the lawn to dropping off paper goods - that make a real difference The importance of building trust early so that widows feel safe enough to ask for support when they need it most How sharing memories and stories honors loved ones and helps keep their presence alive Amy’s life motto of using your hurt to help others and making beauty from ashes — and how it can change the way we face our own challenges Resources Amy Woody on the Stand In The Gap | Facebook | LinkedIn | Email: amyw@sitgm.org | Phone number: 405-476-0165 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

  6. SEP 2

    Transforming from Financial Anxiety to Empowered Decision-Making After Loss with Emma Gray

    What if the money that shows up after loss doesn’t feel like security, but like a cruel reminder of what you’ve lost? How do you turn something that feels heavy and unwanted into a source of hope, stability, and even love? In this episode of Financially Ever After Widowhood, Stacy sits down with Emma Gray, a former probate attorney, military wife, widowed mother of two, and now grief coach and counselor. Emma shares her deeply personal story of navigating grief, identity, and finances after the loss of her husband, and how she ultimately reframed money not as a burden, but as his lasting legacy. You’ll hear them discuss: - How Emma, despite being a probate attorney, found herself completely unable to face the financial paperwork and money decisions in the months after her husband passed away - The emotional shock of grief and the surprising ways it shows up physically in the body, from exhaustion to the feeling of a “broken heart” - Emma’s identity crisis after leaving law, and the journey that led her from being a lawyer to building a new career as a counselor and grief coach - Why putting your own needs first is not selfish, but actually the only way to show up fully for your children, family, and everyone who depends on you - The powerful shift Emma experienced when she stopped seeing the insurance and pension payouts as a painful substitute for her husband, and instead began to view them as his legacy - The importance of creating both financial and emotional safety, and how ignoring one often makes it impossible to feel secure in the other Resources Emma Gray on the Web | LinkedIn | Instagram | Rainbow Hunting Facebook | Rainbow Hunting Community - Facebook Group I Email: emma@rainbowhunting.co.uk Free Sadmin Quiz - to assess how sorted your home/life admin is: https://rainbowhunting.kartra.com/survey/sadminquiz 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!

    44 min

  7. AUG 19

    Don’t Pay That Debt: The Truth About Medical Bills After Death with Shana Siegel

    Did you know that the number one reason for bankruptcy in the US isn’t overspending - it’s medical debt? And for many widows, the bills don’t stop after their spouse passes away. In this episode of Financially Ever After Widowhood, Stacy sits down with Shana Siegel, a partner at Norris McLaughlin P.A and nationally recognized elder law attorney, who has spent her career helping families navigate the complicated world of long-term care, estate planning, and financial protection. Shana shares her expertise - and personal perspective as a mom and caregiver - on how to plan ahead, protect your assets, and make smart decisions when illness or loss strikes. You'll hear them discuss: Why getting educated early can make all the difference in protecting both care options and family finances The surprising reality of what Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance will - and won’t - cover when it comes to long-term care How to protect your home, retirement accounts, and other key assets depending on your state’s laws What really happens with medical bills, credit cards, and student loans after a spouse passes away (and how to avoid being pressured into paying what you don’t owe) When it makes sense to negotiate with hospitals and creditors, and how much you can realistically reduce debt The common estate planning mistakes people make, and why an elder law attorney - not just a general estate planner - is essential Practical steps for handling mortgages, probate, and beneficiary designations so you and your family are financially secure Resources Shana Siegel on the web | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | Aging Answers Podcast | Email | Phone 908-252-4253 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ AARP: https://www.aarp.org/  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!

    39 min

  8. AUG 5

    From Grief to Growth: How Pam Baker Built a Community of Healing

    What happens when a financial planner dies - and even his widow can’t find the key to the safe? In this raw and uplifting episode, Stacy sits down with Pam Baker, founder of Widows Who Wine, to unpack the emotional and financial mess that followed her husband’s death. Pam shares the hard truths she wishes every family knew, why estate planning is about way more than a will, and how she’s helping women across the country rediscover joy through connection, community… and yes, a little wine. You’ll hear them discuss: Why having a will is just the beginning - and what really needs to be in place How even financially savvy families can end up in chaos without an actual estate plan The unexpected moment that made Pam realize joy was missing from her life - and what she did next What “Widows Who Wine” really means (hint: it’s spelled W-I-N-E) The difference between surviving grief and actually living again Financial surprises after loss, from closed credit cards to frozen accounts Why estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy Pam’s simple mantra for hard days, and the one person who always makes her laugh Resources Pam Baker on the Web | Lasting Legacy Consulting | Widows Who Wine Facebook Group | 'Where's the Key to the Safe'' by Pam Baker | LinkedIn | Instagram 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!

    39 min
See All (212)

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.

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