Financially Ever After Widowhood

By Stacy FrancisBusiness Health & Fitness Kids & Family Investing

Financially Ever After Widowhood episodes

September 19, 2023Rebuilding Life after Loss: From Grief to Growth with Dawn Nargi
Dawn Nargi is the Executive Director at The W Connection, an organization that provides essential resources for widows looking to rebuild their lives after the loss of a spouse. Beyond her role at the W Connection, Dawn is a widow herself. Balancing personal grief with the demands of single parenthood, her story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit. Dawn joins Stacy Francis to bring not just her professional expertise but also a deeply personal understanding of the journey of widowhood. She delves into the challenges, the risks, and the transformative power of support.
Many widows grapple with job loss, reduced income, and the financial implications of their changed status. Navigating the professional landscape can be daunting, especially when balancing grief and potential single parenthood.
The W Connection is dedicated to offering resources for widows as they rebuild their lives after the loss of a spouse. Providing invaluable resources, the organization assists widows at various stages of their journey.
Widows need not navigate their workplace challenges alone. By initiating transparent conversations with employers, widows can strike a balance between their work and personal lives without jeopardizing their positions.
Social ties are a pivotal part of healing and moving forward. The W Connection, with its community-focused approach, advocates the healing potential of shared experiences.

Resources
Dawn Nargi on LinkedIn | Email
The W Connection | Become a Member | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Stacy Francis on LinkedIn | 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!
34 min
September 05, 2023Empowering Widows: Advocacy, Empathy, and Support with Carolyn Moor
In this episode of Financially Ever After Widowhood, host Stacy Francis welcomes Carolyn Moor, the founder of the nonprofit organization Modern Widows Club. Recognized internationally for her impactful TED Talk on supporting those experiencing grief, as well as her appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Carolyn has become a leading advocate empowering women in widowhood to transform their pain into strength.
It’s critical to have support while you’re navigating grief and widowhood.
Widows experience profound loneliness, and need a space where they can discuss their lost loved ones openly.
Stacy and Carolyn discuss the double loss experienced by widows—the loss of a partner and the loss of their envisioned future together. Carolyn reflects on her own experience of losing her husband and the immense emotional and psychological impact this type of loss can have on your identity and sense of purpose.
Carolyn shares the origins of Modern Widows Club, which began as a simple idea to provide a space for widows of all ages and backgrounds to share their experiences without judgment.
Wisdom emerges from the unique experience of widowhood. Widows possess insights born from singlehood, marriage, divorce, and widowhood, leading to a reservoir of knowledge that can drive advocacy, change, and personal growth.
Through listening to thousands of widows, Carolyn discovered common patterns and issues that widows face, such as financial instability, disinheritance, government neglect, and social exclusion. She realized the need to advocate for widows' rights and raise awareness about their challenges.
Everyone can play a role in supporting widows, whether they have personal experience or not.

Resources
Carolyn Moor on LinkedIn | Email | (844) 429-4369
Legendary Widows: Stories of Legacy
Modern Widows Club | Events and Programs | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Email

Stacy Francis on LinkedIn | 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!
42 min
August 22, 2023Navigating the Complexities of Probate with Clarity with Marc Zimmerman
Marc Zimmerman is an expert in all things probate. He is the co-founder of The Zimmerman Firm, a welcoming and informative resource for people seeking guidance on this important aspect of the law. He is committed to simplifying the often mystifying world of probate and estate planning and believes in taking a proactive approach to asset management; this has ensured smoother transitions for numerous families during times of loss. Marc joins Stacy Francis on this episode of Financial Ever After Widowhood to demystify the complexities of probate and highlights its significance, especially when assets are involved without a designated beneficiary.
Probate, a legal process where assets are frozen until the executor appointed in a will seeks the Surrogate's Court's approval, has seen considerable delays due to the pandemic. These delays can span from six months to over a year and can become more prolonged if any litigation is involved.
A revocable trust empowers individuals with control over their assets and ensures hassle-free access for the successor trustee upon their demise. Transferring assets into this trust is straightforward; while real estate uses deed assignments, tangible personal property, such as artwork, calls for individual assignment documents.
Assets in a revocable trust might not invite immediate taxes, yet they remain within the taxable estate. Conversely, assets within an irrevocable trust are viewed as finalized gifts and face different taxation criteria.
Acting on your estate planning requirements can be a gesture of care and responsibility towards your loved ones, ensuring they're spared unnecessary legal complications during an already emotionally taxing period.

Resources
Marc Zimmerman on the web LinkedIn | Email | (212) 519-5114
The Zimmerman Firm
600 Third Avenue, 35th Floor
New York, New York 10016

Stacy Francis on LinkedIn | 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!
35 min
August 08, 2023I’ve Got the Power! (of Attorney) with Brian Corrigan
Brian Corrigan is a seasoned expert specializing in trusts, estates, and fiduciary litigation. He brings a wealth of knowledge from his experience handling a diverse range of Surrogate Court matters, including will contests, contested accounting, fiduciary removal and surcharge, and discovery proceedings. With a primary focus on the implications for financial matters, Brian explains how a power of attorney, or an attorney in fact, is pivotal in decision-making on behalf of someone who becomes incapacitated. He joins Stacy Francis to offer key insights into common challenges, New York's legal adjustments, and protective measures against potential misconduct.
The choice of a power of attorney plays a critical role, particularly in the context of financial decisions during incapacitation. It’s important to select a responsible and trustworthy person, capable of meticulous record-keeping.
Understanding the legal nuances and state-specific requirements related to power of attorney is a must. In the absence of a power of attorney, alternatives like guardianship proceedings, though expensive and invasive, may become necessary.
To counter potential misconduct or abuse by unscrupulous agents, it’s recommended to appoint a monitor who can review the transactions performed by the agent and ensure their propriety.
A contingent power of attorney can step in if the primary agent is unavailable. You should have clear and open conversations with potential agents about their willingness and understanding of the responsibilities involved.

Resources
Brian Corrigan on LinkedIn | Farrell Fritz | Email | T: 646-237-1804
Farrell Fritz
Defensive Estate Planning

Stacy Francis on LinkedIn | 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!
32 min
July 25, 2023Empowering Families in End-of-Life Decision Making with Alison Arden Besunder
When faced with a terminal illness diagnosis, your emotions can be overwhelming. You still need to navigate the legal aspects, however, to ensure that you and your loved ones are protected. Stacy Francis’ guest this week is Alison Arden Besunder, a partner in charge of the Trust and Estates department at Goetz Fitzpatrick. Alison has extensive experience in guardianship and estate litigation. She joins Stacy to discuss end-of-life planning, including steps to take when the timeline is limited. Stacy and Alison delve into navigating the healthcare system, and the importance of having critical documents in place to convey your medical wishes clearly.

Highlights from this episode:
Ensure you have a healthcare proxy and living will in place to appoint someone as your medical decision-maker and provide evidence of your end-of-life intentions.
Discuss end-of-life decisions openly with your loved ones, promoting a foundation of good communication to handle high-stress situations effectively.
Even with your best efforts, you may feel helpless when dealing with a loved one's illness, but remember that your support and care are invaluable during these challenging times.
Avoid burnout as a caregiver by setting boundaries and not taking on more than you can handle. Seek support from therapists to manage the emotional burden effectively.
Find the right caregivers for your loved one by tapping into resources like personal needs guardians or geriatric care managers who can connect you with experienced aides.
When navigating end-of-life care decisions, ask questions and advocate for your loved one to ensure the best possible care and treatment options.
Bioethics committees in hospitals can offer support and assistance in decision-making, especially in challenging end-of-life care situations. They can help translate medical jargon and provide guidance to both physicians and families.
Even without a living will, there are other forms like MOLT (Medical Options for Life-Sustaining Treatment) or PULST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) that can be used to make end-of-life decisions in a hospital setting.
Navigating end-of-life decisions for pets also requires careful consideration, and sometimes there may be disagreements between family members on the best course of action.
For anyone facing end-of-life care decisions or other financial challenges related to medical care, seeking guidance from financial advisors can be crucial to manage expenses and make informed choices.

Resources
Alison Arden Besunder on LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter
Goetz Fitzpatrick | LinkedIn
Phone: 212-695-8100 x289

Stacy Francis on LinkedIn | 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!
35 min
July 11, 2023The Art of Giving with Mindy Stern
Charity is not just about giving; it's about making a difference. In this enlightening episode of Financially Ever After Widowhood, Mindy Stern joins Stacy Francis to discuss all things philanthropy. Mindy is a partner at Schwartz Sladkus Reich Greenberg Atlas LLP, specializing in real estate and estate planning. She has a passion for helping clients make a difference with charities during their lifetime and in their wills. She shares her wealth of knowledge on charitable giving, including insights into the intricacies of donations, the importance of understanding the mission of the institutions you support, and the impact of thoughtful giving.

You’ll hear Stacy and Mindy discuss:
The importance of aligning your charitable contributions with your personal mission. Mindy says that donors need to think through all aspects of their giving, including the potential impact on their estate and personal privacy.
Institutional flexibility in using donations. Mindy explains that while institutions will do everything possible to preserve the mission for which the money was given, there may be circumstances where this becomes impossible. In such cases, institutions need to have a "plan B."
"Giving big" can have a tremendous impact on both the donor and the recipient. This approach to giving can provide a lot of flexibility and support to the recipient organization.
The more specific a donor is about the use of their funds, the more difficult it can be for the institution to ensure that the funds are used exactly as the donor wishes.
The role of planning and considering other assets in giving. These conversations can provide a window into the donor's life, revealing what they value and collect, such as antique dolls or cars.

Resources
Mindy Stern on the web | LinkedIn
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 212.743.7028

Stacy Francis on LinkedIn | 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!
46 min
June 27, 2023Paving Your Path to Peace with Anne DeButte
Anne DeButte is a respected and empathetic grief coach, author, and podcast host. She has made significant contributions to the field of grief counseling through her comprehensive approach to helping people navigate through their unique grief journeys. Her book, Grief's Abyss: Finding Your Pathway to Peace, encapsulates her insights on the impact of grief and offers practical advice for those who are navigating this challenging life experience. In this episode, she guides people through their healing process by debunking myths, offering strategies for coping, and emphasizing the importance of support and internal work.
Contrary to the adage, time does not heal all wounds. As such, distracting yourself from grieving a loss by filling your schedule may not always be beneficial. The grief journey varies greatly among individuals and rushing the process may only delay true healing.
Grief affects individuals mentally, physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. Healing requires internal work, such as understanding your stress levels, acknowledging and expressing emotions, and seeking help when necessary.
Isolation during grieving periods can be harmful. It's vital to seek support from friends, professionals, or community groups, especially those who can empathize with the experience of loss. This support is not just for advice, but more crucially, for understanding and companionship through a difficult time.
Strategies like meditation, journaling, and breath work have been proven to help with the acute pain of grief. Incorporating them into your routine as daily activities may help you get through the day.

Resources
Anne DeButte on LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Grief’s Abyss: Finding Your Pathway to Peace
Let’s Talk About Grief with Anne DeButte
UnderstandingGrief.com

Stacy Francis on LinkedIn | 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!
37 min
June 13, 2023Honoring Memories: Organizing Belongings with Love and Purpose with Janine Sarna-Jones
Are you struggling to sort through your household items after the loss of a loved one? It's not just a matter of spring cleaning; it's an emotional journey that requires empathy and support. In this episode of Financially Ever After Widowhood with Stacy Francis, Janine Sarna-Jones, organizational maven, shares her expertise on navigating the process of dealing with a partner's belongings. She and Stacy explore the balance between keeping reminders and avoiding a mausoleum effect, and the importance of making thoughtful decisions about items with a future life. Janine offers valuable insights on honoring memories while finding space for joy.
There is no predetermined timeline for sorting through your partner's belongings after their passing. Take the necessary time to mourn and be emotionally ready for the task.
Going through your loved one's items can bring up memories, thoughts, and feelings. It's a process that allows space for grieving and healing.
Finding a balance between keeping reminders and creating a space that brings joy is essential. Curating meaningful items and letting go of the rest can help you maintain a healthy environment.
If moving to a new space, avoid making hasty choices in the midst of grief. Moving should be a well-thought-out decision that aligns with your long-term goals and financial capabilities.
Making thoughtful choices about items that can benefit others allows for a sense of purpose and ensures that belongings don't end up in the landfill. It's an opportunity to make a positive impact beyond personal grief.
Items can be given a future life through donation to charities, animal shelters, and nonprofit organizations.
Clothing and personal items can be repurposed and given new life. Tailoring clothes to fit yourself or transforming them into quilts or memory pieces can be a meaningful way to honor memories.
There are no rules on how to deal with the personal effects of someone you love. Each person should find a way that brings them comfort and preserves the memories in a way that feels right for them.
Kindness and self-compassion are essential during the grieving process. It's important to show yourself the same understanding and grace when navigating the challenges of sorting through belongings.
Seeking support from professionals and involving your friends and loved ones can make the organizing process more manageable, physically and emotionally.

Resources
Janine Sarna-Jones on Website| LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram
Estate Clearance Checklist PDF Download
Donations and Waste: Junkluggers
Donations: Salvation Army | Goodwill | Dress for Success | Housing Works (tend to be East Coast – will pickup) | Local shelters | Coalition for the Homeless
Selling Items: Craigslist | Ebay
Making Clothes into Quilts and other items: Memory Stitch
TV Shows: The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning
WHAT DO YOU DO WITH ALL OF THE STUFF WHEN YOU LOSE A LOVED ONE?

Stacy Francis on LinkedIn | Twitter
Email: [email protected]
FrancisFinancial.com
A Financial Guide for Widows
Reach out to receive a complimentary consultation! Contact Francis Financial at +212-374-9008 or visit Francis Financial today!
36 min
May 30, 2023Navigating the Maze of Grief with Joy Rosenthal
In a world where loss and grief often appear as villains, there are those who embody the spirit of resilience. On this episode, Financially Ever After Widowhood, Stacy Francis welcomes Joy Rosenthal - a woman who turned her own personal tragedies into catalysts for compassion, empathy, and strength. Joy is a seasoned lawyer, divorce mediator, and an educator at the CUNY School of Law. In this episode, she's sharing her personal journey as twice a widow. Through heartbreaking losses, Joy discovered her innate strength, resilience, and most importantly, her capacity for compassion. She recounts her experiences, revealing how she navigated the maze of grief, and how these experiences fueled her work and personal life with a newfound fervor.
Joy lost her first husband just six months into their marriage. As she rebuilt her life and found love again, she experienced another devastating loss with the death of her second husband during the COVID-19 crisis.
Despite the overwhelming grief of losing two spouses, Joy shares how she learned to draw on her inner strength. This resilience helped her not only survive these difficult experiences but also to continue showing up for life every day.
Having a support system is invaluable. Joy found solace in her community during times of grief.
Joy’s personal experiences with loss have fundamentally shaped her outlook on life. These experiences allowed her to lead with compassion, and in turn, profoundly impacted her professional work as a lawyer and mediator.
Her job at Legal Aid, where she was engaged in extensive reading and writing, helped Joy process her grief after her first husband's death. She underscores the importance of a balanced work environment that allows space for coping with loss.
A recurring theme throughout Joy's narrative is the importance of keeping going and staying in motion. Her determination to persist and rebuild her life after each loss is an inspiring takeaway for listeners grappling with their own losses.
Joy advised that women dealing with similar situations should assess their capabilities, desires, and circumstances, and adjust their work life accordingly. She emphasized the importance of patience and understanding during this process.
Seek help to manage paperwork and administrative tasks, which can be overwhelming during a time of grief.

Resources
Joy Rosenthal on Website| LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | Linktr.ee
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 212-532-4704

Stacy Francis on LinkedIn | 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!
32 min
May 16, 2023Organizing the (E)State of Your Affairs with Amy Holzman
Amy Holzman is a seasoned trust and estate attorney with over 25 years of experience. Specializing in estate planning and administration, Amy prepares wills, trusts, estate and gift tax planning, and healthcare proxies, for a wide range of clients including US citizens, international families, and LGBTQ+ clients. In this episode, Amy and Stacy Francis discuss the ins and outs of estate planning. Amy shares key considerations for single mothers with young children, highlighting the importance of appointing a capable and willing guardian for minors, the use of trusts for managing children's inheritance, and other critical elements of estate planning.
The cornerstone of any will for parents with young children is appointing a guardian. This person should be capable and willing to raise the child in case something happens to the parents. It's also critical to have a detailed letter outlining how the child should be raised, to prevent family conflicts and misunderstandings later.
Trusts are a viable way to manage and protect children's funds. Parents need to choose a responsible trustee, who can be guided by a financial advisor, to ensure that the child's funds are used appropriately.
Healthcare proxies should be in place for children over 18. For families with substantial wealth, early gifting can help preserve wealth for future generations. Revocable trusts can also be used to avoid costly court procedures.
Setting up a Roth IRA for children, regardless of whether they have income, can provide them with a financial head start. Moreover, parents should talk to their children about financial matters to prepare them for financial responsibility in the future.

Resources
Amy Holzman on LinkedIn
Email: [email protected]
Law Offices of Amy Holzman

Stacy Francis on LinkedIn | 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!
37 min

About Financially Ever After Widowhood

From the publisher's feed

Widowhood is the state of being a widow or widower: a person whose spouse has passed away. This is a situation that no one wants to be in, but it is something that can happen, and that you and your family should be prepared for financially. When this kind of painful, life altering event occurs, it's important to have the structure in place for you and your family to be protected, and this year on Financially Ever After Widowhood, Stacy Francis is going to be talking to a diverse lineup of experts, and individuals who have gone through it themselves, to give you the tools and information you need to be prepared.

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