As of immediately, my newest ebook is on the market: After the Death of Your Spouse: Next Financial Steps for Surviving Spouses.
Many surviving spouses discover themselves overwhelmed by all the executive and monetary to-do objects that must be dealt with within the months after their partner’s demise. There’s quite a bit to do, and so they’re imagined to get all of it finished whereas grieving. And in lots of instances, the state of affairs is made harder by the truth that the surviving partner just isn’t the one who frequently dealt with the family funds.
I wrote this ebook to stroll folks by it, in plain language. It’s the ebook I would like my partner to have, in case one thing occurs to me.
Fortunately, a few of these to-do objects for surviving spouses are vital however not pressing. And in actual fact, for a few of these objects, it’s greatest to attend. Many folks report experiencing “brain fog” within the weeks or months following their partner’s demise. They discover that they’ve issue concentrating and issue performing duties that will usually be straightforward. Major, irrevocable selections are greatest postpone till this era is over, in instances through which it’s sensible to take action.
That’s why the ebook is damaged down into two elements: instant subsequent steps and intermediate subsequent steps.
The ebook’s desk of contents is as follows:
Part One: Immediate Next Steps
1. Learn the Terms (The Estate Administration Process)
2. Getting Organized
3. Notifying Necessary Parties
4. Initial Responsibilities as Personal Representative
5. Updating Your Own Estate Plan
Part Two: Intermediate Next Steps
6. Social Security Planning
7. Further Responsibilities as Personal Representative
8. Handling Inherited Retirement Accounts
9. Additional Options as a Beneficiary and Surviving Spouse
10. Tax Returns
11. Reassessing Your Own Finances
12. Reassess Your Portfolio
13. Finding Professional Assistance
Conclusion: What’s Next?
Appendix A: Does an Inheritance Create Taxable Income?
Appendix B: Social Security Widow(er) Benefit Math Details
Appendix C: Dealing with Trusts
My honest gratitude goes to a few attorneys who generously contributed their time and experience: Lee Aronson of Shreveport, Louisiana; Randi Grassgreen of Boulder, Colorado; and Matthew Sullivan of Waltham, Massachusetts. Bogleheads discussion board members “LadyGeek” and “dodecahedron” additionally very kindly gave their time and shared their information and experiences as surviving spouses.
If you suppose the ebook could be useful to you or to a beloved one, I’d encourage you to choose up a replica. (Print version here, Kindle version here.)