My husband handles the money
Know where accounts are held, how bills are paid, who the professional contacts are, where passwords and documents are stored, and what income would continue if your spouse died.
When You’re Ready to Take Control of Your Financial Life
Women and Money
You can be intelligent, successful, and accomplished—and still feel uncertain about investments or household finances. Financial confidence grows through understanding and involvement.
Widowhood
Grief and financial urgency do not mix well. Separate immediate decisions from decisions that can wait, gather documents, understand cash flow, and avoid making irreversible choices too quickly.
Divorce after 50
Retirement accounts, Social Security, pensions, housing, taxes, insurance, and future income all matter—not simply the dollar value of the assets on a settlement sheet.
Inheritance
Before investing inherited money, understand taxes, account type, your own goals, near-term needs, and whether the inheritance changes your retirement plan.
Household preparedness: Every woman should be able to find the essential financial information needed to run the household if her partner cannot.