After Death or Divorce — Six Considerations for Survivors
The loss of a spouse—whether through death or divorce—can be one of the most difficult and life-altering experiences. Both situations may bring similar emotions: grief, fear of uncertainty and feelings of being overwhelmed. Adding to the challenges, this is also a time when new responsibilities must be assumed, notably those related to your finances.
In the immediate aftermath, it’s important to seek help from others where needed: family members, trusted friends and professionals who can provide support. As you move forward, here are six considerations to help you manage your own financial well-being through this transition:
1. Take Stock of Your Finances — Establish a clear understanding of your current financial position. If a detailed financial inventory doesn’t exist, start by creating a list of all of your financial accounts and financial interests: all assets (bank accounts, investment accounts, registered plans, etc.) and liabilities (mortgages, loans, etc.).
2. Carefully Close Joint Accounts — In the case of a divorce, all joint accounts should immediately be closed. In the situation of a spouse’s death, consider keeping joint accounts open for the short term to provide access to items that continue to be received in the deceased’s name (e.g., deposit cheques).
3. Update Documents & Beneficiary Designations — For all financial and legal documents, determine whether you need to update personal information, with a focus on the current designated beneficiaries (where applicable), to protect your assets and your heirs. This should include your will, powers of attorney and other
estate planning documents, such as any trust agreements.
4. Build Your Team of Professionals — Depending on your situation, the support of legal, tax or investment professionals may be helpful during this transition. I am/We are here to assist with your financial position and can recommend specialists to help during this challenging time. Some individuals delay financial planning until after a divorce has been finalized or an estate has been settled. However, doing so may limit your understanding of available financial options. Having this knowledge beforehand may allow you to make well-informed decisions with greater confidence.
5. Reevaluate Your Budget — You are likely to experience changes in cash flow. Expenses previously shared with a spouse may now be your sole responsibility, or your income may shift unexpectedly. For example, a deceased spouse’s workplace pension may continue, but this is often at a reduced rate. Government benefits may end, or survivor benefits may be lower than expected. An updated budget can help you understand your new inflows and outflows and create a plan to account for any changes.
6. Revisit Your Wealth Plan — Reviewing your wealth plan can help reduce uncertainty and provide a clear roadmap for the future.
There may be tools or strategies that can provide additional support, such as tax or insurance planning. I am/We are here to provide support by developing tailored investment strategies based on your personal circumstances and goals, while balancing your risk tolerance levels and unique investment values.
A Final Thought: Adjusting to any loss can take time. Where possible, consider delaying any major decisions, such as selling a home or business or cashing in retirement assets, until you feel able to make confident choices. As always, I am/we are here to be a resource. I/We can walk you through the key steps you can take to get organized and help protect your current financial well-being. We/I can also work with you to develop a plan to move forward with confidence. During this difficult time, please know that you can count on me/us for support.
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