Ever think about what would happen if your family suddenly had to figure out your insurance, bills, or assets - without you there to explain it? It’s not fun to imagine, but it’s one of the most loving things you can prepare for. In this episode of Financially Ever After Widowhood, Stacy and Natalie dive into the less-than-glamorous side of legacy planning: getting your insurance and financial details in order so no one’s left guessing in a crisis. Along the way, they share real-life stories, personal slip-ups (yes, including a lost engagement ring), and plenty of practical advice you can actually use.

You’ll hear them discuss:

- Why it’s not just about what happens after you’re gone, it’s also about being ready if you’re ever incapacitated

- How to make sure your health, property, and long-term care insurance are documented and paid up

- What COBRA really means when you leave a job or go through a divorce

- How long-term care policies work, and what details families often forget to track

- What your homeowners, auto, and umbrella insurance *really* cover (and what they don’t)

- The simple, yearly habit that keeps your assets and account info easy for loved ones to find

- A true story that shows exactly why all this planning matters

Resources

As you listen to this podcast, you can click here to view slides and follow along visually: Legacy Planning Webinar 2

⁠Because I Love You Planning Companion⁠

Natalie Colley on⁠ FrancisFinancial.com⁠ | ⁠LinkedIn⁠

Stacy Francis on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ |⁠X(Twitter)⁠ | [email protected]⁠[email protected]⁠

⁠FrancisFinancial.com⁠

⁠See All Podcasts

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 legacy planning - from passwords and beneficiaries to wills and the “Because I Love You” packet - all designed to make life easier for those you love most. It’s not just about money; it’s about leaving clarity, not confusion.

You’ll hear them discuss:

Resources

As you listen to this podcast, you can click here to view slides and follow along visually: Legacy Planning Webinar 1

Because I Love You Planning Companion

Natalie Colley on FrancisFinancial.com | LinkedIn

Stacy Francis on LinkedIn |X(Twitter) | [email protected][email protected]

FrancisFinancial.com

See All Podcasts

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 Stacy to take the mystery (and the drama) out of wills, trusts, and gifting strategies. Claire focuses her practice on estate and tax planning, estate administration, and the nonprofit sector, with experience ranging from simple wills and powers of attorney to sophisticated tax minimization strategies and contested probate cases. She also works closely with charitable beneficiaries and not-for-profit organizations on everything from testamentary trusts to federal tax exemptions. Spoiler: this conversation has a lot more peace of mind and a lot less Agatha Christie mayhem.

You’ll hear them discuss:

Resources

Claire Steinman on the Web | LinkedIn | Email: [email protected] | Phone: 212-453-1554

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!

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 looks like. Amy opens up about her own journey of losing her husband suddenly at 36, raising her young daughter, and discovering her calling to help other widows. Together, they explore the words and actions that truly matter when someone’s world has been turned upside down.

You’ll hear them discuss:

Resources

Amy Woody on the Stand In The Gap | Facebook | LinkedIn | Email: [email protected] | Phone number: 405-476-0165

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!

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 counselor. Emma shares her deeply personal story of navigating grief, identity, and finances after the loss of her husband, and how she ultimately reframed money not as a burden, but as his lasting legacy.

You’ll hear them discuss:

Resources

Emma Gray on the Web | LinkedIn | Instagram | Rainbow Hunting Facebook | Rainbow Hunting Community - Facebook Group I Email: [email protected]

Free Sadmin Quiz - to assess how sorted your home/life admin is: https://rainbowhunting.kartra.com/survey/sadminquiz

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!

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 the complicated world of long-term care, estate planning, and financial protection. Shana shares her expertise - and personal perspective as a mom and caregiver - on how to plan ahead, protect your assets, and make smart decisions when illness or loss strikes.

You'll hear them discuss:

Why getting educated early can make all the difference in protecting both care options and family finances

The surprising reality of what Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance will - and won’t - cover when it comes to long-term care

How to protect your home, retirement accounts, and other key assets depending on your state’s laws

What really happens with medical bills, credit cards, and student loans after a spouse passes away (and how to avoid being pressured into paying what you don’t owe)

When it makes sense to negotiate with hospitals and creditors, and how much you can realistically reduce debt

The common estate planning mistakes people make, and why an elder law attorney - not just a general estate planner - is essential

Practical steps for handling mortgages, probate, and beneficiary designations so you and your family are financially secure

Resources

Shana Siegel on the web | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | Aging Answers Podcast | Email | Phone 908-252-4253

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/

AARP: https://www.aarp.org/ 

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!

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 women across the country rediscover joy through connection, community… and yes, a little wine.

You’ll hear them discuss:

Why having a will is just the beginning - and what really needs to be in place

How even financially savvy families can end up in chaos without an actual estate plan

The unexpected moment that made Pam realize joy was missing from her life - and what she did next

What “Widows Who Wine” really means (hint: it’s spelled W-I-N-E)

The difference between surviving grief and actually living again

Financial surprises after loss, from closed credit cards to frozen accounts

Why estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy

Pam’s simple mantra for hard days, and the one person who always makes her laugh

Resources

Pam Baker on the Web | Lasting Legacy Consulting | Widows Who Wine Facebook Group | 'Where's the Key to the Safe'' by Pam Baker | LinkedIn | Instagram

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!

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 often but is rarely talked about: financial abuse. From subtle control to outright manipulation, Victoria pulls back the curtain on what this form of abuse looks like, how it evolves, and why even the smartest, most capable women can find themselves stuck in it. With raw honesty and hard-won wisdom, she shares not just her story, but real strategies for reclaiming your power - and your paycheck.

You'll hear them discuss:

How financial abuse often starts with what seems like kindness or practicality

Why smart, educated, successful women are still vulnerable to financial manipulation

The common emotional traps that keep women stuck in abusive dynamics

Telltale signs you're being excluded or controlled financially

What to do if you're afraid of retaliation or escalating violence when trying to leave

How Victoria “stole” her own paycheck to buy health insurance and what happened next

The vital role of tax returns, credit reports, and hidden debts in uncovering the truth

Why guilt and self-blame are so common - and completely undeserved

How community and connection can help women feel less alone and more empowered

Resources

Victoria McCooey on Web | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube | Instagram | Tiktok | Email | Phone: 516-449-4311

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!

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 surrounding Social Security for widows and divorced women. With over 2,700 rules in the system, most people make costly mistakes without even knowing it. Mary Beth breaks it all down in clear, practical terms and shares the strategies that can maximize lifetime benefits.

You'll hear us discuss:

How Social Security retirement, spousal, and survivor benefits are actually separate “pots of money”

What divorced women need to know about eligibility for spousal and survivor benefits - even if their ex has remarried

How the length of your marriage (and whether you remarried after age 60) can impact what you’re entitled to

Why claiming benefits early could lead to permanent reductions, and what full retirement age really means

The surprising rule that allows widows to claim one benefit now and switch to a higher one later

How earnings limits can affect your benefit if you’re still working

Why children under 18 (and their caregiving parent) may be eligible for survivor benefits after a parent dies

Real-life scenarios that show how proper strategy can increase benefits by tens of thousands of dollars

How to claim retroactive benefits and what to do if Social Security gave you the wrong advice

Where to find the most reliable information and professional help, including Mary Beth’s own resources

Resources

Mary Beth Franklin on Web | X (Twitter) | Email: [email protected] | Phone number: 703-609-4764 | Maximizing Social Security Benefits

Other resources - Social Security Advisors - help with claiming backpay | Social Security Administration - government website with information on Social Security Benefits

Stacy Francis on LinkedIn | X(Twitter) | Email: [email protected]

FrancisFinancial.com

Reach out to receive a complimentary consultation! Contact Francis Financial at +212-374-9008 or visit Francis Financial today!

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 supporting someone through it, this episode reveals the hidden consequences of dying mid-divorce - and how to protect your financial and legal interests before it’s too late.

You'll hear them discuss:

Why divorce proceedings legally stop (abate) if one spouse dies before the final judgment is issued

The critical difference between being “separated” and “legally separated”

What happens to wills, inheritance rights, and spousal elections if no divorce agreement has been signed

How a prenup or postnup can override default spousal inheritance laws

Whether someone is considered divorced or widowed in the eyes of the law - and why that distinction matters for taxes and Social Security

The role of survivorship benefits in pensions and retirement accounts after death

What happens when a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) hasn’t been processed yet

Why failing to update beneficiary designations (and documents like power of attorney or healthcare proxy) can backfire dramatically

Practical ways to protect your assets and loved ones - especially if you're over 50 and facing a “gray divorce”

How estate planning and divorce law must work hand-in-hand to prevent future litigation and financial chaos

Resources

Lisa Zeiderman on the Web | Miller Zeiderman LLP | LinkedIn

Amy Holzman on Law Offices of Amy Holzman | 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!