Peter Falstad

There are moments in life that reshape everything. Losing a spouse or navigating the end of a marriage brings emotional strain, practical responsibilities, and financial questions that do not wait for a convenient time. Many people tell us the same thing when they arrive at Falstad & Associates: they feel overwhelmed, unsure where to begin, and worried about making a mistake that could affect their future.

Financial confidence after loss does not come from rushing decisions. It comes from creating space to breathe, gathering clarity one step at a time, and working with people who understand what you are experiencing. It also helps to remember that you do not have to solve everything at once.

 

In the early stages, the most helpful work often involves organizing. That may mean identifying accounts, understanding income sources, updating beneficiaries, and reviewing insurance policies. These early steps give you a sense of where things stand and reveal what needs attention next. Many clients feel lighter almost immediately because the unknowns begin to shrink.

 

From there, the focus shifts to building stability. For someone who has recently lost a spouse, this might involve creating a new household spending plan, evaluating survivor benefits, or adjusting the investment strategy to reflect current needs. For someone moving through divorce, it can involve reviewing the financial settlement, identifying long term income sources, and setting up new accounts that reflect life after the transition.

 

As stability forms, confidence grows. We walk with clients through decisions about retirement timing, Social Security, future healthcare needs, and long term planning. People often appreciate having a team who can anticipate questions before they surface. The reassurance that comes from knowing you are not alone is often just as important as the financial work itself.

 

There is also a personal element to this stage of life that cannot be overlooked. Times of transition reshape your priorities. You might redefine your goals, revise your vision for the next chapter, or discover that you want a different pace of life. Good planning respects that evolution and gives you room to adjust as you rediscover what feels right.

 

Finding financial confidence after a loss takes time, but it is absolutely possible. With patience, structured guidance, and a team that listens closely, you can move from uncertainty to clarity and begin building a future that feels steady again.