By Michelle Taylor
Today’s reality. We are finding ourselves in the midst of a pandemic where isolation and social distancing is our new normal. And it can be even more challenging if you’re faced with piloting this journey alone because you lost your spouse or partner.
Grief does not have a timeline. At any point, something can trigger all of those old feelings — loss, anger, paralysis, and sadness. And when those emotions hit, we are not always in our best state of mind to make important decisions for ourselves regarding our finances or health. If you have been widowed and are finding it difficult to navigate through this time, you are not alone. Dealing with all the information about the pandemic can be overwhelming.
Every day we hear more and more about rising unemployment, healthcare issues, home schooling, working from home, navigating your investment portfolios, and a host of other issues. Having to deal with one large decision can be exhausting, but right now you may feel overwhelmed by the multitude of decisions you may need to make. What can you do to ensure you are making the best decisions? Take a deep breath, slow down and start from the beginning.
- Make sure you have a trusted advisor or friend you can consult. There are also some support networks for widows, including the following organizations:
2. Don’t make any quick or rash decisions. Give yourself at least 48 hours before you give an answer or response to a major decision.
3. Lastly, yet most importantly, refer back to your P.L.A.N. If you have found you do not have one, now is the time to seek out a professional opinion.
• P – Prepare for the unexpected.
• L – Leverage this opportunity to talk to your family/children
• A – Asset allocation review
• N – Needs analysis
Being a widow at any time is traumatic, and in these times the stress is only accentuated. Reaching out to support networks can lessen the burden of the times.
Michelle Taylor, CRPC ® has spent over 20 years in wealth management and is an Advisor and Niche leader for Widows and Inheritors at Luma Wealth Advisors in Cleveland, Ohio.
