Sudden, unwanted change can bring normal life to an unexpected stop.  It can be disorienting and create real emotional, physical and financial distress for you and your loved ones.  Difficult changes such as the loss of a spouse, the loss of a job, or a home, divorce and physical disability…how do you go about the process of recovery and rebuilding while simultaneously dealing with all the details? 

This site is designed to provide you with practical information, tips, tools, and helpful insight regarding some of the most common – and most difficult – unwanted or unexpected changes in life.   It walks you through critical first steps and then short- and long-term issues surrounding your newfound change so that you can gain a measure of control and make informed decisions that work for you and your family. 

The information in this site can help give you the best chance of understanding both the situation you’re (or a loved one is) currently facing as well as the financially-related decisions you will need to make and how to evaluate choices surrounding those decisions.  It provides links to other online resources and tools as well as lists of questions and worksheets you can use to compile information and review information in your own time to make your own decisions.

Dealing with an unexpected loss--and related financial decisions—are difficult by any measure.  However, by taking the time to understand your options, and how to work with organizations (i.e. lenders, insurance companies, etc.) as well as financial professionals (i.e. lawyers, insurance agents), you  and your loves ones you can avoid making choices that could inadvertently compound your loss and create additional financial stress.

• Settling Your Spouse’s Estate
  If your spouse had a will, it's a good chance that you've been named as the executor of the will. That means that you're responsible for handling all the financial and legal issues related to settling your spouse's estate.
• Evaluating Your Loved One’s Health
  If your loved one has a chronic disease or is showing signs of physical, mental or emotional changes or diminished abilities you should consider having her get a health assessment.  There are three steps to assessing her health.
• Marrying Again and Prenuptial Agreements
  Eighty percent of divorced men and 75% of women remarry whether or not they have children, and most do so within three years.  Prenuptial agreements are becoming more common, especially in second marriages, and not just for the very rich.