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. 6d ago

    Unpacking the Realities of Real Estate After a Major Life Change with Melissa Rubenstein

    Selling a home can bring up way more than numbers and paperwork. Stacy and real estate expert Melissa Rubenstein unpack the financial realities and emotional side of buying, selling, downsizing, and renting - especially during major life changes like widowhood, divorce, or starting over somewhere new. You’ll hear them discuss: Why timing your life matters more than trying to time the real estate market How today’s interest rates are changing the way people buy, sell, and downsize The hidden costs behind selling a home and why sale price doesn’t equal profit Why renting can sometimes be the smartest financial move, even if people say it’s “throwing money away” What actually helps buyers compete in a competitive market besides offering cash Simple ways to prepare and stage a home without overspending on renovations How to choose a real estate agent who will guide you honestly instead of just telling you what you want to hear Resources Melissa Rubenstein on the Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | The Rubenstein Property Group | Email: movesbymelissa@gmail.com | Office: 201-962-9552 | Mobile: 646-872-5912 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

  2. May 12

    The Hidden Financial Benefits Available to Gold Star Widows with Daniel Kopp

    Losing a spouse is already life-altering. Losing a spouse in the line of duty brings an entirely different level of grief, pressure, and financial complexity that most people never fully understand. In this episode, Stacy Francis talks with Air Force veteran, widower, financial therapist, and fee-only advisor Daniel Kopp about the unique challenges Gold Star spouses face after loss. Daniel breaks down the financial benefits available to surviving military families, the critical deadlines many people miss, and the emotional side of suddenly having to take over every financial decision while grieving. You’ll hear them discuss: What it means to be a Gold Star spouse and the unique financial planning issues military widows face The key survivor benefits available through the military and VA, including SBP, DIC, Social Security, and life insurance payouts The little-known HEART Act strategy that may allow surviving spouses to move up to $600,000 into a Roth IRA How the Fry Scholarship and Chapter 35 benefits can help spouses and children receive college education support Why grief and financial anxiety are so deeply connected after losing a partner How financial therapy helps widows rebuild confidence and feel more in control of their financial future The importance of finding support systems and communities that truly understand military loss Resources Daniel Kopp on Wise Stewartship Financial Planning | Email: daniel@WiseStewardshipFP.com | Widow Life & Money Podcast | 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

  3. Apr 28

    Is Your Business Protected If Something Happens to You with Katya Sverdlov

    A business can be one of the most meaningful things you build in your lifetime. But without the right plan, it can also become one of the most complicated things your family has to untangle. In this episode, Stacy sits down with estate planning attorney Katya Sverdlov to talk about the real-life decisions business owners need to make before a crisis hits. From buy-sell agreements and key person insurance to prenups, trusts, and simply knowing who can access the bank accounts. This conversation is all about protecting your business, your family, your employees, and the legacy you’ve worked so hard to create. You’ll hear them discuss: Why estate planning for business owners has to go beyond personal wills, trusts, and family assets The simple first step every entrepreneur can take: making a clear list of accounts, policies, payroll contacts, and key business information How a buy-sell agreement can protect your heirs, your partners, and the future of the business Why life insurance and disability coverage can be essential tools for business continuity How business ownership can create major complications in marriage, divorce, and inheritance planning Why timing matters when it comes to trusts and asset protection The importance of having honest conversations with your family about your wishes before they are left guessing later Resources Katya Sverdlov on Sverdlov Law | Email: info@sverdlovlaw.com | LinkedIn | Phone: 212-709-8112 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!

    45 min

  4. Apr 14

    Journal With Us: Your Money Story After Losing a Spouse (Part 2)

    Nobody wants to think about their own death, but the greatest gift you can give the people you love is making sure they're not left scrambling when you're gone. In this episode, Stacy Francis and Sunaina Mehra get into the practical, often overlooked steps you can take right now to make sure your wishes are documented, your assets are protected, and your family has everything they need. You'll hear them discuss: Why setting up a trust isn't as complicated or expensive as most people think, and why you definitely don't need to be wealthy to have one How to make sure your estate plan actually reflects your wishes in a way that's healthy for whoever's receiving it The Because I Love You legacy planning guide - a free downloadable resource where you can document everything from passwords to health proxies in one place Why this kind of preparation is truly one of the most loving things you can do for your family The importance of not making major life decisions in the immediate aftermath of loss, and how grief affects judgment more than most people realize Where to turn for support - financial advisors, trusted community, and resources like Savvy Ladies and the Financial Help for Widows guide Resources You Need A Budget WebsiteBecause I Love You - A Legacy Planning CompanionLinktr.ee/francisfinancialSavvy Ladies Rebuilding Financial Security After Loss Your Money Story Worksheet Original Event Sunaina Mehra on LinkedIn | Francis Financial 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

  5. Apr 1

    Journal With Us: Your Money Story After Losing a Spouse (Part 1)

    Money can feel overwhelming, especially after loss… but what if the real starting point is your own story, instead of spreadsheets or strategies? In this first part of a powerful live “Money Circle,” Stacy and Sunaina slow everything down and guide you somewhere most financial conversations never go: inward. This episode is all about getting honest with where you’ve been, where you are right now, and what financial security could actually mean for you and your life. You’ll hear them discuss: How your earliest experiences and messages about money quietly shape your decisions today Why your “money story” isn’t fixed and how it continues evolving over time Simple reflection prompts to uncover what’s currently weighing on you financially The value of separating what feels uncertain from what’s already handled (and why that matters more than you think) How to identify the one financial area that would bring the most immediate relief or clarity Why even experienced financial professionals still feel like they have more to do and why that’s completely normal How to start thinking about financial security through intentions, not pressure or quick decisions Resources Your Money Story Worksheet Live Event Sunaina Mehra on LinkedIn | Francis Financial 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!

    13 min

  6. Mar 17

    When Heirlooms Become Assets with Peter Costanzo

    Could the most overlooked part of your estate plan be sitting right in your living room? Jewelry tucked away in a drawer, artwork on the wall, a shelf full of old books, family pieces everyone assumes are “just sentimental”. Some of these items may be worth far more than anyone realizes, while others may not hold the value your family expects. In this episode, Stacy sits down with Peter Costanzo of Doyle Auctioneers and Appraisers to talk about how collections, heirlooms, and household treasures can create unexpected opportunities (and unexpected conflict) if no one plans ahead. You’ll hear them discuss: Why artwork, jewelry, books, and collectibles should absolutely be part of your estate planning conversations How professional appraisals help families understand what items are actually worth before difficult decisions have to be made Why heirlooms that look “equal” may have wildly different values, and how that can unintentionally create conflict between family members The difference between fair market value and retail replacement value, and why that matters for both estate planning and insurance How to protect yourself from being taken advantage of when selling valuable items, and when auctions may be the better option The common mistakes families make when they wait until a move, downsizing, or home sale to deal with decades of belongings Real stories from Peter’s career, including the discovery of a forgotten George Washington letter and Stephen Sondheim’s rhyming dictionaries that shocked collectors at auction Resources Peter Costanzo on Doyle | Email: peter@doyle.com | Phone: 212-427-2730 | 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!

    48 min

  7. Mar 3

    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

  8. 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
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4.8
out of 5
40 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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