Financial Planning After Loss: A Widow’s Financial Roadmap Series

Part 1: A Widow’s First 90 Days Checklist

Losing a spouse changes everything—emotionally, practically, and financially. In those first few months, it can feel like you’re expected to make big decisions when you barely have the energy to get through the day. The truth is, most things can wait. What matters most right now is taking care of yourself and addressing the essentials first.

This guide walks through the first steps to help you stay grounded and begin organizing what’s ahead—without feeling overwhelmed.

1. Locate Key Documents

Start by gathering what you can find easily. You don’t need every piece of paper at once—just focus on the key documents:

• Death certificate (you’ll need several certified copies)

• Will and/or trust documents

• Property deed and/or mortgage statement

• Life insurance policies

• Investment, bank, and retirement account statements

• Titles for vehicles or property held jointly

• Marriage certificate

• Any business documents, such as: operating agreement, partnership agreement, or buy-sell plan, if your spouse owned a business

Tip: Keep copies in a secure folder or binder. You’ll be referencing these documents over the next few months.

2. Who to Contact First

Once you have the basics in hand, begin contacting institutions to update records and prevent complications later.

• Social Security Administration: Ask about your eligibility for survivor benefits.

• Spouses’ former employer: Inquire about any last paycheck, life insurance policies, retirement plan, and equity compensation.

• Insurance companies: Start life insurance claims as soon as you have death certificates and notify health insurance plans.

• Banks and investment firms: Notify them of your spouse’s passing and request their process for retitling or closing joint accounts.

• Credit Card Companies - make sure cards are closed or frozen that are in your spouses name.

• Credit Bureaus - notify Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, so no new credit taken out in spouses name.

• Financial Professionals - if you have an financial advisor, CPA or attorney contact them.

• Your spouse’s business partner or executive team: While it’s important to be informed, don’t feel pressure to make immediate decisions about selling or closing a business. Understanding the structure first can help you preserve its value while you decide what comes next.

3. Take Inventory of Income and Expenses

Right now, it’s about clarity—not perfection. Write down what’s coming in and what’s going out each month.

This might include:

• Income: anticipated Social Security survivor benefits, pensions, investment income, or business income

• Expenses: mortgage or rent, utilities, insurance, healthcare, groceries, liability payments, and any other fixed expenses

Seeing it in one place helps you understand your short-term needs and avoid unnecessary stress.

4. Hold Off on Major Financial Decisions

You might feel pressure to make big moves—selling a home, investing insurance proceeds, or changing your entire plan. Give yourself time. Unless something is urgent, waiting six months to a year allows emotions to settle and helps ensure your decisions are truly in your best interest.

5. Build Your Support Team (if you don’t already have one)

You don’t have to do this alone. Surround yourself with professionals who can help you make sense of everything:

• A fiduciary financial advisor to help organize and prioritize

• An estate attorney to review or update documents

• A tax professional to guide you through next year’s filing

Having trusted experts by your side allows you to focus on healing while still taking steady, confident steps forward.

6. Give Yourself Grace

It’s okay to move slowly. Grief doesn’t follow a timeline, and neither should your financial to-do list. Taking just one or two small actions each week can help you regain a sense of control and peace as you begin this next chapter.

💡 Next in the Series:

In Part 2, we’ll walk through how to organize everything in one place with a Widow’s Financial Binder—a tool that can bring clarity and calm as you move forward.

At TARA Wealth, we help women of all ages navigate loss with care and clarity. We understand that financial decisions made during this time are deeply personal—and often overwhelming. Our role goes beyond creating a plan or telling you what to do. We walk beside you through every step: helping you contact your spouse’s employer, ensuring accounts and assets are properly retitled, and rebuilding a financial foundation that supports the life you’re stepping into next.

If you’ve recently lost a spouse and don’t know where to begin, we’re here to help you find stability, peace of mind, and a clear path forward—one thoughtful step at a time.

You can reach us by scheduling a meeting or emailing us directly at hello@tarawealth.com.

Disclosure: The information is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not financial, legal, or tax advice. Consult a qualified fiduciary financial advisor, estate attorney, or tax professional before making any financial decisions.