Financially Ever After Widowhood

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 lega...

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...

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...

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 cou...

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 t...

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 w...

When does financial support turn into financial control? Are you really in charge of your finances - or just being told you are? What if the person you love most is also the one slowly eroding your financial freedom? In this gripping episode of Financially Ever After Widowhood, Stacy sits down with narcissist divorce coach and survivor Victoria McCooey to talk about something that happens far too...

Think you know everything about Social Security? Think again. What if the difference between a spousal benefit and a survivor benefit could mean thousands of dollars more in your pocket, but no one tells you? In this eye-opening episode, Stacey Francis sits down with Mary Beth Franklin, a nationally recognized expert on Social Security, to unravel the complex web of rules and opportunities surroun...

What happens if your spouse dies before the divorce is finalized - are you a widow… or still just the spouse they were trying to leave? In this eye-opening episode, Stacy is joined by matrimonial attorney Lisa Zeiderman and estate planning attorney Amy Holzman to unpack a legal gray zone that most couples never anticipate. Whether you're in the middle of separating, contemplating divorce, or suppo...

Should you buy a life insurance policy for yourself, and if so, what type? And if you’ve received a life insurance payout, how do you use that money wisely without letting grief cloud your judgment? In this episode of Financially Ever After Widowhood, Stacy Francis sits down with financial planner and longtime colleague Avani Ramnani to break down the most important financial decisions widows face...

What happens when you’re suddenly the one in charge of all the paperwork, passwords, and decisions, but you’re not sure where to begin? In this heartfelt and practical episode, father-and-son duo Peter and Jacob Gordon share how daily money management can be a lifeline for people navigating everything from grief and memory loss to major life changes like retirement, divorce, or moving across the c...

What if your financial struggles aren’t really about money—but about emotions you’ve never even considered? In this powerful and refreshingly honest episode of Financially Ever After Widowhood, Stacey Francis is joined by Erika Wasserman, one of only 100 certified financial therapists in the U.S. Together, they dive into how fear, overwhelm, shame and even childhood memories can keep you stuck in...

In honor of Financial Literacy Month, we’re revisiting one of our most powerful episodes of Financially Ever After: Widowhood, a conversation that underscores why financial knowledge is essential, especially during life’s most difficult transitions.   You’ll hear from Kathy Gleason, a widow, author, and host of the podcast As I Live and Grieve. Kathy shares her deeply personal journey of navigatin...

What if doing absolutely nothing during a market downturn was actually the best financial move you could make? In this episode of Financially Ever After, Stacy Francis sits down with Matt Haertzen - Chief Investment Officer at Francis Financial - to dive deep into how to handle market volatility without letting fear drive your decisions. When markets dip, it's easy to panic, but Matt and Stacy hig...

Is skimping on employment taxes worth the risk? Think again! The IRS is watching, and the consequences could be severe. From personal liability to potential criminal charges, tax attorney Megan Brackney breaks down what you must know about payroll tax compliance—and what happens if you get it wrong. Think an IRS notice is something you can ignore? Not so fast. Failing to respond could mean escalat...

How do you navigate the overwhelming challenges of supporting a loved one dealing with mental illness or substance abuse when the systems meant to help are failing? And how can you be sure you’re making the right choices when it feels like everything is stacked against you? In this powerful episode of Financially Ever After, Stacy Francis sits down with Lisa Herman, a seasoned mental health attorn...

Are you really prepared for solo aging? Have you thought about who will care for you as you get older? What about where you’ll live, how you’ll afford care, and who will manage your finances if you’re unable to? Too many people wait until an emergency forces them to make these decisions, but planning ahead can give you control over your future and peace of mind. What if you could make choices now...

When facing the loss of a loved one, is there anything worse than being blindsided by legal battles and financial chaos? The last thing you need while grieving is to be buried under probate paperwork, unexpected family conflicts, or financial uncertainty. In this episode, Stacy Francis speaks with grief coach Claire Schwartz about how to prepare ahead of time so that loss doesn’t turn into a crisi...

After losing a spouse, how do you regain financial confidence and ensure long-term security? Losing a spouse can leave widows feeling overwhelmed, especially when it comes to finances. But taking control doesn’t have to be daunting—it can be empowering. In this episode, Stacy Francis and Natalie Colley share five key financial resolutions to help widows navigate money decisions with confidence in...

Ever wondered if there’s a secret recipe for reducing your tax burden without sacrificing your long-term financial health? Could your estate planning be leaving money on the table? In this episode of Financially Ever After, Stacy Francis is joined by the brilliant Dahiema Grant, CPA and tax expert, to unravel the intricacies of tax planning and estate strategies. From the basics of income taxes an...

What if learning to say “no” could be the most powerful form of self-care you ever practiced? In this inspiring episode of Financially Ever After, Stacy Francis chats with Debbie Weiss, author of On Second Thought, Maybe I Can and The Sprinkle Effect, about the power of setting boundaries, prioritizing self-care, and living with greater intention. Debbie shares her personal journey of caregiving w...

Welcome to Financially Ever After Widowhood. As we’re in the heart of the holiday season, we know this time of year can bring both cherished memories and difficult emotions, especially for widows navigating loss. Today, we’re bringing back one of our most impactful episodes from last year, featuring Cognitive Behavioral and Grief Coach Jordan Schwartz Hendin. We hope this special replay offers com...

How can you navigate the emotional complexities of the holiday season, set financial boundaries, and plan for a secure financial future after the loss of a spouse? In this insightful episode, Kim Murray, founder of Widow411, shares valuable financial strategies and emotional insights for widows. She discusses how to handle holiday spending, set healthy financial boundaries, and plan for long-term...

What steps can you take to prepare for potential tax changes and secure a financially stable future? In this episode of Financially Ever After Widowhood, Stacy Francis sits down with tax expert Deborah Schaub to break down the complexities of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and share actionable strategies to maximize savings and navigate tax planning in a rapidly shifting economic landscape. From unders...

What rights do families truly have when a loved one’s death might have been preventable? In this insightful episode of Financially Ever After, Stacy Francis sits down with Mary Beth Heiskell, a seasoned legal expert in wrongful death cases, to unravel the often-hidden financial and legal challenges families face when tragedy strikes. From the rights of estranged family members in estate claims to...