She wasn’t thinking about investments when the casserole dishes started arriving—she was just trying to get through the day. Her friends meant well. They brought food and a profusion of flowers, followed by a deluge of cards. But no one brought a binder labeled “Here’s how to manage the finances now that he’s gone.”
And so, in the quiet after the funeral, she sat at the kitchen table alone, surrounded by a pile of account statements, a vague memory of their advisor’s name, and a gnawing question: “Am I going to be okay?”
Welcome to another chapter of the Great Wealth Transfer—one where women don’t inherit through family trusts, but through sudden, heartbreaking change.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 70% of women outlive their husbands. And yet, research from Fidelity and UBS shows that the majority of women do not feel prepared to take over the financial reins when that moment comes.
In fact, UBS’s Own Your Worth 2025 report found that 92% of widows wished they had been more involved in financial decisions earlier. Nearly 3 in 4 said their confidence increased significantly over time—but only after deep personal work and aligned support.
If you’re reading this while grieving, let’s be clear: This isn’t just about numbers. Losing a partner is a transformative event that reshapes your identity. The transition to being the sole financial steward can feel overwhelming and unfair—or both.
In my practice I hear the same kinds of comments from recently widowed clients again and again:
“He handled all the investing. I don’t even know what we own.”
“I feel stupid asking questions. Everyone assumes I know.”
“I’m afraid I’ll make a big mistake—or get taken advantage of.”
Add to that the combined emotional weight of diverse financial issues—guilt over spending, fear about running out, or even resentment that no one prepared you for this.
When they’re thrust into this traumatic situation, many widows react in one of three common ways that don’t always yield the best outcomes.
Freeze Mode: Everything feels fragile. Many women delay financial decisions altogether, hoping clarity will return later. This isn’t wrong, but it can’t last forever.
Fix-It Mode: Some jump into action—selling properties, changing advisors, moving money—sometimes too quickly. Reactionary decisions can have lasting costs.
Outsource & Abdicate: Others hand control to adult children, a sibling, or someone who “seems smart.” That trust can be dangerous without the right oversight.
Denise’s story is a common one. When we met, she was newly widowed at 63, with very little financial confidence because her husband had managed everything. She didn’t know what was in their accounts—didn’t even have login credentials—and was terrified by the thought that she might not be able to stay in the house they’d shared for so many years.
Here’s what we did to help her get through it, one step at a time:
Took inventory of all accounts, policies, and assets
Called institutions together to update records
Aligned her spending plan with her new life priorities
Built a 3-tier timeline of decisions to make now, soon, and later
Today, Denise is not only stable—she's thriving. She donated to a cause she and her husband loved, created a travel bucket list with her sister, and regularly teaches other women what she’s learned. Confidence didn’t come all at once, but it did come.
Becoming a widow is a huge disruption full of emotional, financial, and logistical challenges. That’s unavoidable, but you can get through it. Remind yourself of these key principles when you’re struggling or feeling overwhelmed.
You don’t need to decide everything right now. Focus on paying essential bills, sorting out taxes, and making sure you have account access. Major decisions—things like home sales or shifts in investment strategy—can wait.
It’s okay to ask “basic” questions. You are not “behind,” nor are you incompetent. You are human. And this is new.
Find an advisor who talks to you, not around you. You need more than performance reports right now. You need partnership, planning, and peace of mind—someone who will meet you where you are today.
Rewrite the financial plan around your life now. This is a new chapter where what matters most are your goals, your fears, and your priorities. The plan should reflect you.
Widowhood can feel like the end of a story. But for many women, it’s also the start of a powerful new chapter—one where you get to choose what happens next. That doesn’t mean forgetting. It means honoring your partner while embracing your own voice.
At Artisan Financial Strategies, we have decades of experience walking alongside women who are simultaneously navigating the weight of grief and the complexity of money. Our role is being a supportive partner on this path.
It’s your journey, but you’re not alone; we’re here to help you sort the inbox, reset the vision, and reclaim your agency. Start by scheduling a consultation today. Because the wealth your partner built deserves a steward who feels strong—not stranded.
SOURCES:
UBS Own Your Worth 2025: Women and the Great Wealth Transfer, ubs.com/women
U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 life expectancy data
Fidelity Widows & Financial Preparedness Study, 2023