Financially Ever After Widowhood

How do you keep showing up for someone you love when grief has already started, and the bills, taxes, legal decisions, and everyday money stuff suddenly land on your shoulders too?

Suzy McNamara joins Stacy for a conversation about caring for her husband through early-onset Alzheimer’s, losing both her husband and sister in the same year, and finding her footing again through grief. They talk about the financial wake-up call that came with caregiving, why both partners need to understand the household finances, and how small wins can slowly bring back a sense of control.

You’ll hear them discuss:

How anticipatory grief can begin long before someone dies, especially when illness slowly changes the person you love

What happened when Suzy realized her husband could no longer manage the finances and how much had already started slipping through the cracks

Why leaving all the money decisions to one partner can create a huge amount of stress when illness, incapacity, or loss enters the picture

How getting help from financial professionals, friends, and a trusted support team helped Suzy rebuild confidence one problem at a time

Why shame and embarrassment around money can keep people stuck, and the power of simply asking, “What can I solve today?”

The value of regular financial check-ins with your partner so both of you understand the bills, savings, debt, taxes, accounts, and passwords

How learning to manage money became one area Suzy could actually control during a time when so much else felt completely out of her hands

Resources

Suzy McNamara on Website | "The Silkworm, The Magician and The Sister Tree" Book | 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!

You can have the will, the beneficiaries, the trust, and still get blindsided when someone dies. Bank accounts can freeze, automatic payments can stop, and suddenly the grieving person is also trying to keep the financial wheels turning.

Stacy sits down with accountant Evan Gilder to unpack the practical money issues families often don’t hear about during estate planning, from frozen accounts and probate delays to beneficiary mistakes and unclaimed funds.

You'll hear them discuss:

Why individual bank accounts may be frozen after someone dies, and how that can disrupt mortgage payments, utilities, taxes, and other everyday expenses

How joint accounts can make things easier, plus some of the complications families may still run into when accounts and assets are held at the same institution

What happens when a power of attorney ends at death and why access to money can become much more complicated than families expect

Ways families may handle essential expenses while waiting for probate or an estate account to be established and why keeping good records matters

Why retirement account beneficiaries deserve regular checkups, especially after divorce, death, or other major family changes

How unclaimed funds end up with the state, where to look for money tied to old addresses or previous states of residence, and why it’s worth doing the search yourself

How thoughtful planning before a crisis can help families manage the paperwork, financial decisions, and unexpected problems that come with caring for someone and settling their affairs

Resources

Evan Gilder on Redlig Financial Services | LinkedIn | Email: e.gilder@redlig.com | Phone: 646-827-3600

New York State Unclaimed Funds - https://www.osc.ny.gov/unclaimed-funds

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!

How do you honor a loved one’s wish to stay at home while also making sure they are safe, supported, and able to thrive? In this episode, Stacy sits down with gerontologist and care manager Rebecca Lippel to unpack the emotional, practical, and financial realities of caring for an aging family member. They talk about the many care options available, the hidden costs families often overlook, and why the right plan may need to change over time. Rebecca also shares a compassionate approach to difficult care conversations that protects dignity, autonomy, and family relationships.

You’ll hear them discuss:

How to determine whether staying at home is still realistic, safe, and financially sustainable

The differences between companionship, part-time home care, live-in support, and overnight care

Why finding the right caregiver is about personality and trust, not just qualifications

The additional costs families often miss, including groceries, housekeeping, transportation, and medical appointment support

What Medicare, Medicaid, health insurance, and long-term care insurance may, or may not, cover

When assisted living, memory care, or skilled nursing may offer more than in-home care

How to approach difficult conversations without taking away your loved one’s dignity, control, or sense of independence

Resources

Rebecca Lippel on LiveWell Care Management | LinkedIn | Phone: 917-923-1463

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!

Why are so many capable, successful women still hesitant to call themselves investors?

In this conversation with Stacy, Samina Bari shares how women can move beyond saving and budgeting, take greater ownership of their money, and start building wealth with confidence. She also opens up about losing her husband suddenly and how that experience exposed a major gap in the support available during life-changing transitions.

You’ll hear them discuss:

Why women are often encouraged to save and budget, but not taught to invest

How starting small can make investing feel less intimidating and help build confidence over time

The importance of investing in companies, causes, and ideas that reflect your personal values

Why women should stay involved in financial decisions, even when working with a financial advisor

How Samina’s experience after her husband’s sudden death revealed the lack of clear, compassionate support for life administration

Why checklists alone often fall short when someone is dealing with grief, trauma, or overwhelm

How Farewell uses emotionally adaptive AI to guide individuals and families through major life transitions

Resources

Samina Bari on Personal Website | With Farewell | LinkedIn | Email

Stacy Francis on LinkedIn | X(Twitter) | Email

FrancisFinancial.com

"Because I love you" - A legacy companion

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

Estate planning isn't just about legal documents. It's also the conversations families avoid until it's too late. From second marriages and blended families to unequal inheritances and caregiver children, the choices you make today can shape your family's relationships for years to come. Stacy Francis sits down with estate planning attorney Stella King to unpack the emotional side of estate planning and why clear communication can be just as important as a well-written will.

You'll hear them discuss:

Why estate planning should grow and change as your family, finances, and relationships evolve over time.

How blended families and second marriages create unique planning challenges, and ways to protect both a surviving spouse and children from prior relationships.

Why leaving an inheritance equally isn't always the fairest option, especially when one child has taken on the role of caregiver.

The pros and cons of choosing a family member, friend, professional, or corporate trustee to manage your trust.

Why talking openly with your family about your estate plan can prevent misunderstandings, resentment, and painful surprises later.

The common mistakes people make by waiting too long to update wills, trusts, beneficiary designations, powers of attorney, and health care documents.

How thoughtful planning is about passing on your intentions, values, and peace of mind.

Resources

Stella King on ESS Law Firm | Email - s.king@esslawfirm.com | 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!