Financially Ever After Widowhood

• The Truth About Trusts with Claire Steinman

  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: Why having even a simple will is essential for nearly everyone, not just the ultra-wealthy How trusts can help protect kids, support loved ones with special needs, and even shield assets from creditors or divorce The surprising flexibility you have in deciding when and how children inherit money Smart ways to gift assets during your lifetime, including the $19,000 annual exclusion and tuition or medical payments made directly How to choose the right trustee, from family members to professional institutions, and the pros and cons of each State-specific estate tax “gotchas” like New York’s infamous cliff tax and inheritance taxes in places like New Jersey and Pennsylvania Why blended families and second marriages absolutely need updated estate plans to avoid family fallout 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!

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• What Widows Really Need When They Experience Loss with Amy Woody

  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: Why saying something is always better than saying nothing, even if it’s simply “I’m so sorry” The harm of avoiding the “elephant in the room” and how acknowledging loss brings comfort Practical, concrete ways to help - from mowing the lawn to dropping off paper goods - that make a real difference The importance of building trust early so that widows feel safe enough to ask for support when they need it most How sharing memories and stories honors loved ones and helps keep their presence alive Amy’s life motto of using your hurt to help others and making beauty from ashes — and how it can change the way we face our own challenges 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!

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• Transforming from Financial Anxiety to Empowered Decision-Making After Loss with Emma Gray

  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: - How Emma, despite being a probate attorney, found herself completely unable to face the financial paperwork and money decisions in the months after her husband passed away - The emotional shock of grief and the surprising ways it shows up physically in the body, from exhaustion to the feeling of a “broken heart” - Emma’s identity crisis after leaving law, and the journey that led her from being a lawyer to building a new career as a counselor and grief coach - Why putting your own needs first is not selfish, but actually the only way to show up fully for your children, family, and everyone who depends on you - The powerful shift Emma experienced when she stopped seeing the insurance and pension payouts as a painful substitute for her husband, and instead began to view them as his legacy - The importance of creating both financial and emotional safety, and how ignoring one often makes it impossible to feel secure in the other 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!

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• Don’t Pay That Debt: The Truth About Medical Bills After Death with Shana Siegel

  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!

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• From Grief to Growth: How Pam Baker Built a Community of Healing

  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!

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