What to Do in the First Weeks After Loss


This week is extra special for me because we’re celebrating my mom’s birthday. Her love, strength, and encouragement have shaped so much of who I am today—both personally and in the work I do helping women navigate retirement. I’m grateful every day for the example she has set, and I couldn’t let this week go by without saying:

Happy Birthday, Mom! 🎉


Navigating Life After Loss – Part 2: Financial & Legal Aspects

💬 From Episode 68:

“The biggest thing is none of us are meant to go through this alone.”
– Eric Blake

In Part 2 of our Navigating Life After Loss series, I share compassionate, practical advice for the critical first weeks after losing a spouse. I walk through the legal, financial, and everyday matters that can feel overwhelming, offering clear action steps to bring order during a difficult time.

Here’s what we cover:

  • Why meeting with an estate planning attorney early can prevent costly delays and probate complications
  • The importance of retitling property, vehicles, and accounts in your name to avoid future issues
  • How Social Security payments and survivor benefits work, including timelines and required forms
  • Steps for handling debts, protecting against fraud, and safeguarding your spouse’s digital footprint
  • When a living trust may be worth considering for privacy, efficiency, and avoiding probate
  • And more!

You can catch every episode of The Simply Retirement Podcast on the website - or on your favorite podcast app.


Navigating Life After Loss: A Guide for the Newly Widowed

The companion guide to our 3-part podcast series.

When you’re grieving, it’s hard to know where to start. This compassionate, step-by-step resource will help you navigate the first days, weeks, and months after losing a spouse — so you can focus on what matters most.


Have more questions about retirement planning? Just hit reply to this email. I read and respond to every message. 😃

Keeping Retirement Simple,

Eric Blake, CFP®

​Thanks for subscribing! 📬

New Subscriber? Click to read previous newsletters

Not getting what you need? Unsubscribe

Update your email preferences

201 W. Virginia Street, #102, McKinney, Texas 75069

Content here is for illustrative purposes and general information only. It is not legal, tax, or individualized financial advice; nor is it a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any specific security, or engage in any specific trading strategy.

All investing involves risk including loss of principal. Results will vary. Past performance is no indication of future results or success. Market conditions change continuously.

Information here is provided, in part, by third-party sources. These sources are generally deemed to be reliable; however, neither Blake Wealth Management nor RFG Advisory guarantee the accuracy of third-party sources. The views expressed here are those of Blake Wealth Management. They do not necessarily represent those of RFG Advisory, their employees, or their clients.

This commentary should not be regarded as a description of advisory services provided by Blake Wealth Management or RFG Advisory, or performance returns of any client. The views reflected in the commentary are subject to change at any time without notice.

Advisory services offered by Investment Advisory Representatives of RFG Advisory, LLC ("RFG Advisory" or "RFG") a registered investment advisor. Blake Wealth Management and RFG Advisory are unaffiliated entities. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where RFG Advisory and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. No advisory services may be rendered by RFG Advisory unless a client agreement is in place.

RFG Advisory is an SEC-registered investment adviser. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of RFG by the Commission, nor does it indicate that RFG or any associated investment advisory representative has attained a particular level of skill or ability.

The Simply Retirement Newsletter

Straightforward retirement education for women delivered to your inbox weekly. Whether you are divorced, widowed, or simply ready to take control of your financial future, we want to empower you to live your retirement on your terms.

Read more from The Simply Retirement Newsletter

Hi Reader, Retirement taxes aren't always as straightforward as they seem. A decision that looks harmless today could create unexpected tax consequences, higher Medicare premiums, or reduced flexibility later. How do income sources, tax brackets, Social Security, and healthcare costs all work together in retirement? What happens when a major life event changes your filing status and reshapes your financial picture? "Retirement planning is no longer just about generating income. It's about...

Hi Reader, Healthcare decisions can become overwhelming quickly once retirement enters the picture, especially when one spouse is nearing Medicare eligibility, and the other is not. What happens if you lose employer coverage earlier than expected? How do you compare COBRA, Medicare, and ACA plans without creating confusion later? “ We're not just choosing what works as a couple today. We also want to make sure we're choosing what's going to work for each person individually. ERIC BLAKE What...

Hi Reader, Retirement brings freedom and flexibility, but it also raises important questions about how and where you want to live as life changes over time. What happens if your current home no longer fits your needs? How do you balance emotional attachment, financial realities, and practical lifestyle decisions while planning for the future? “ When you start thinking about how you're going to spend that time, who you'll spend it with, and what activities matter to you, your location plays a...