Financially Ever After Widowhood

• The Social Security Survivor Benefit Secret with Mary Beth Franklin

  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!

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• What Do You Do If Your Spouse Dies Before the Divorce Is Finalized with Lisa Zeiderman and Amy Holzman

  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!

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• What Every Widow Needs to Know About Life Insurance with Avani Ramnani

  Should you buy a life insurance policy for yourself, and if so, what type? And if you’ve received a life insurance payout, how do you use that money wisely without letting grief cloud your judgment? In this episode of Financially Ever After Widowhood, Stacy Francis sits down with financial planner and longtime colleague Avani Ramnani to break down the most important financial decisions widows face around life insurance, income planning, and long-term security. Whether you're navigating your own life insurance needs, managing a recent payout, or trying to make your finances sustainable on a single income, this episode gives you the tools and knowledge to make informed decisions with confidence. You'll hear them discuss: How to decide whether you still need life insurance as a widow, and why having dependents (like young children or a disabled adult) plays a key role in that decision What to do with a life insurance payout - including why doing nothing at first may be the wisest move until your emotions settle and clearer planning is possible The difference between term and permanent life insurance, and why term insurance is usually the most affordable and effective option for most families Why tracking your spending - at least for a year - is essential, and how to do it without getting overwhelmed or obsessing over minor purchases How widows’ income often drops significantly after their spouse dies, even though expenses may stay the same, and what that means for sustainable financial planning Why it's critical to prioritize your own long-term financial health before helping adult children or family members, and how to handle emotional pressure around money The two options for handling a late spouse’s IRA or retirement account, and how to choose between rolling it into your own IRA or keeping it as an inherited IRA Resources Avani Ramnani on LinkedIn Resources mentioned Savvy Ladies - Free Financial Education and Helpline for Women You Need a Budget Stacy Francis on LinkedIn |vX(Twitter) | Email FrancisFinancial.com Reach out to receive a complimentary consultation! Contact Francis Financial at +212-374-9008 or visit Francis Financial today!

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• Getting Financially Organized in Life’s Toughest Moments with Jacob and Peter Gordon

  What happens when you’re suddenly the one in charge of all the paperwork, passwords, and decisions, but you’re not sure where to begin? In this heartfelt and practical episode, father-and-son duo Peter and Jacob Gordon share how daily money management can be a lifeline for people navigating everything from grief and memory loss to major life changes like retirement, divorce, or moving across the country. They didn’t set out to become financial organizers—but life led them here through personal family experiences, and now they’re helping others find order and peace during some of life’s most overwhelming moments. You’ll hear them discuss: • How their family’s own challenges with elder care inspired them to create a service that supports others in managing the emotional and practical sides of personal finance. • The unexpected transitions that often lead people to seek help—like a partner’s death, a dementia diagnosis, or simply realizing the bills haven’t been opened in months. • What it means to be a daily money manager, and how their work goes far beyond bill pay to include safeguarding personal data, organizing financial records, and helping clients feel less isolated. • Why solo agers—those without family support nearby—often rely on them as trusted fiduciaries to serve as power of attorney, healthcare proxy, or executor when no one else can. • The ways loneliness, memory loss, and vulnerability intersect—and how just having someone to check in weekly can dramatically improve a person’s wellbeing and confidence. • How they collaborate with financial advisers, attorneys, and care professionals to create a wraparound team that protects clients from falling through the cracks. • Their top piece of advice for anyone suddenly managing money on their own: start by finding out exactly where everything is, before trying to make sense of it. ResourcesJacob and Peter Gordon on the Web | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedIn | Email: [email protected] Jacob Gordon on Email: [email protected] I Phone number: 917-945-0912 Peter Gordon on LinkedIn | Email: [email protected] | Phone number: 917-279-3972 Other resources mentioned: Article on How to Freeze Credit Card Quicken - Manage Your Finances in One Place You Need a Budget Personal Capital / Empower 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!

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• Rebuilding Money Confidence After Loss with Financial Therapist Erika Wasserman

  What if your financial struggles aren’t really about money—but about emotions you’ve never even considered? In this powerful and refreshingly honest episode of Financially Ever After Widowhood, Stacey Francis is joined by Erika Wasserman, one of only 100 certified financial therapists in the U.S. Together, they dive into how fear, overwhelm, shame and even childhood memories can keep you stuck in place financially. Whether you’re recently widowed, divorced, or simply navigating money matters on your own for the first time, this conversation offers hope, practical tools, and a whole new way of thinking about your relationship with money. You’ll hear them discuss: How 90% of our financial decisions are driven by emotion, and why understanding this can help you make better choices moving forward Why your money mindset is shaped by your background, culture, and past experiences—often without you even realising it What financial paralysis looks like, and how to gently move forward with manageable, confidence-building steps How feelings of fear, overwhelm and loneliness can stop you from taking action, and what to do when that happens Why making financial mistakes is completely normal—and how to reframe them as part of your learning journey How Erika’s simple highlighter method can help you understand your spending habits and make joyful, intentional choices What a “sunshine fund” is, and how having one can create space for spontaneous joy and generosity When it might be the right time to work with a financial therapist, especially if you feel emotionally stuck or ashamed about money Resources Erika Wasserman on the Web | Email | Instagram | LinkedIn Pre-order ''Conversations with Your Financial Therapist'' on Amazon 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!

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