Loss of Spouse

In the grief, confusion and stress of losing a spouse, survivors make the perfect target for scam artists. In the grief and confusion following a spouse’s death, you can’t be expected to remember websites and phone numbers for organizations that help uncover the unscrupulous. A few simple guidelines, however, can help you avoid most of the common scams.

Whether fresh out of college or after a marriage, women will some day go it alone in taking care of their financial needs. With the combination of later marriage, divorce, widowhood and longevity, almost 90 percent of women will end up managing their finances alone at some point in their lives, according to the Department of Labor.

Women who avoid preparing for life as a widow only add to the pain of losing a spouse. Life ends with only one possible conclusion: death. And while no one wants to spend any more time than necessary thinking about that outcome, basic steps taken now can help avoid adding the confusion and frustration of estate finances to the pain of losing a spouse.