My parents owned an oil distributorship that delivered fuel and heating oil to homes. My mom handled the internal office operations. My dad handled the relationship side of the business. On a insanely thick foggy night, my dad missed seeing a road sign and instead of turning right his jeep wagoneer went into a lake. In seconds he was dead and so was the business. What came after was a difficult time. My mother had to continue to run the … [Read more...]

My recently widowed friend was frantic. Her loud loving Italian family along with several neighbors were pestering her to claim her property tax widow’s exemption. When she finally got down to the property tax office, the results were disappointing. Concerned for her well-being, these people all thought there were huge benefits for her, and were just trying to help. In some situations, that is true. In Texas, there is a set of circumstances … [Read more...]

The loss of the family wage earner can be devastating, both emotionally and financially. Knowing what you can receive as a survivor’s benefit is the first step in getting your financial needs in order. From a widow’s perspective, it is important to know you may be eligible to survivor’s benefits available for yourself, your children, and his parents, if they were dependent on him. How much can I receive? The survivor benefit amount is based on … [Read more...]

Grief causes confusion. The brain is functioning differently. There are several levels of conscious thinking going on at the same time. You are not going crazy. Most widows seem to experience some memory loss and confusion during this period. Scientifically, it’s called “cognitive disconnect”. This is why you must write everything down. It will be imperative for you to stay organized during the months ahead. Realize that your judgment—your … [Read more...]

Don’t let legal jargon overwhelm you. Here are seven basic terms to help you navigate the legal language most often used immediately after the loss of your husband. Decedent – The person who has died. Another word for the deceased. Probate ­- The court process by which a Will is proved valid or invalid. The legal process wherein the estate of a decedent is administered and property is distributed to the heirs. Will – A document stating … [Read more...]

Your husband’s death can leave you in uncharted waters, not only emotionally and spiritually, but financially as well. Here is a quick checklist to help you build awareness about what to avoid and what tasks to address early on: Don’t put your house on the market (doing this too soon is single biggest mistake widows make). Don’t give away money to your children or charity. Don’t sell stocks, bonds, or any other investments. Don’t agree … [Read more...]