WIDOWHOOD: THE MOST TRAUMATIC TRANSITION OF ALL
Of all the transitions women go through — marriage, childbirth, divorce — becoming a widow quite likely is the most traumatic. Advising recently-widowed female investors is emotionally draining, our financial advisors say. Having previously looked at the need for women investors to think of themselves as “pre-widows” before their husbands die, WEALTHTRACK WOMEN now looks at what new widows must do, and just as importantly, what they should not do, at least not before the grieving subsides.
What New Widows “Must” And “Should Not” Do
There are certain things a new widow must do. Just as important, there are many things she should not do, at least not for several months, says Maura Griffin of Blue Spark Capital Advisors in New York.
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It’s Ok To Disagree With Your Dead Husband
Some widows feel it’s wrong to disagree with their dead husband, says Debbie Taylor of Taylor Financial Group in Franklin Lakes, NJ. But as the grief fades, they are able to start charting their own financial course — and even enjoy the process.
Advisers Must Overcome Grieving Widows’ Disinterest
Many recently-widowed women need help just figuring out what papers are important, says Eve Kaplan of Kaplan Financial Advisors in Berkeley Heights, NJ. She emphasizes that many are so overcome with grief, they have zero interest in planning their financial future, and so their advisers must (gently) push them to take the next step.
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