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Financial Guidance for Widows and Widowers

Compassionate Support Through One of Life's Most Difficult Transitions Losing a spouse changes everything. In the weeks and months that follow, you may face significant financial decisions at a time when you have little capacity to focus on them. At Laurel Wealth Planning, we understand the weight of that moment, and we are here when you’re ready.

Our team has guided many widows and widowers through this transition, offering clear, patient guidance that helps you move from uncertainty toward stability. We work at your pace, address the questions in front of you, and build a plan that reflects your goals and the life you want to live going forward.
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What You May Be Facing

Suddenly becoming solely responsible for a financial picture you used to share can feel completely disorienting. You may be navigating questions you have never had to answer before, all while you’re still grieving. The concerns we most often hear include:

  • Which accounts should I draw from, and when?
  • How do I manage taxes on inherited assets or required distributions?
  • Should I stay in my home?
  • How should I manage my investments?
  • Should I update my estate plan now that my situation has changed?

There is no single right answer for everyone. Having an advisor who takes the time to understand your situation fully before offering any direction makes a genuine difference.

How Laurel Wealth Planning Helps

Immediate Financial Priorities

In the early months after a loss, there are time-sensitive steps that require attention. We help you identify what needs to happen first and coordinate with your attorney and accountant along the way. This can include retitling accounts, transferring assets, updating beneficiary designations, and, most importantly, making sure you have sufficient income.

We move through this work carefully and methodically, so you can focus on what matters.

Investment Management

Whether you are inheriting a portfolio that was managed jointly or stepping into investments that your spouse or partner managed, we review your investments with fresh eyes. We assess your income needs, your timeline, your comfort with risk, and opportunities for tax efficiency, then build a strategy that reflects where you are now.

Our Investment Committee brings over 100 years of combined experience to every client relationship. Portfolios are managed in a disciplined, data-driven way that keeps tax efficiency in view alongside long-term growth.

Tax Planning
The period following the loss of a spouse often brings significant tax questions. The year of death is typically a filing transition, and the years that follow may involve different tax brackets, required minimum distributions, and inherited account rules that require careful navigation. Our team reviews your tax picture in depth and coordinates directly with your CPA to help you keep more of what you have built.
Estate Planning Coordination
After losing a spouse, your estate documents almost certainly need to be reviewed and updated. We work alongside your estate planning attorney to confirm your assets are structured the way you intend, that beneficiary designations reflect your current wishes, and that your plan serves the people and causes you care about most.
Planning for the Life Ahead
Over time, our focus shifts from managing immediate demands to helping you envision what your future looks like. Whether that means funding a grandchild’s education, supporting a cause that matters to you, traveling, or simply building the confidence that you will not outlive your funds as you enjoy your resources, we create a plan that gives you the flexibility to live as you choose.

A Team That Knows You

At Laurel Wealth Planning, our professional-to-client ratio is well above industry norms. The people working on your plan know your circumstances personally. You are not handed off to junior staff or managed at a distance. You have a dedicated wealth manager supported by a team that communicates proactively and is available when you need them.

Half of our clients are women, and many have come to us during major life transitions. We bring experience, patience, and genuine care to every relationship.

Getting Started

Most clients who work with us after a loss choose our integrated wealth management service, which includes ongoing investment management, proactive tax planning, and coordinated financial planning. This service is designed for clients with $1 million or more in invested assets, or those approaching that level.

For those who prefer to begin with a focused one-time review, we also offer a point-in-time financial plan, subject to staff availability. Fees for both services are outlined in the FAQ section below and adjusted for complexity.

There are no fees or taxes to transfer assets to Laurel Wealth Planning, and you retain full freedom over your assets at all times.

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Hear What Our Clients Say

Laura Kuntz and her Laurel Wealth Planning team have made all the difference in my senior years. I was a retiree with what felt like a reasonably stable financial future, if stewarded well. Laura has listened and guided me well for 25 years to a level of financial security for myself and my family, and for charitable giving far beyond my wildest dreams. I am so pleased that my modest resources are making a difference in education and healthcare for families in Guatemala, for students in higher education who are investing in the human condition worldwide, and for church and local support systems that focus on women and children. My sense of well-being into the future is greatly enhanced because of the consideration, integrity, and support I feel from LWP.

Elaine, Laurel Wealth Planning Client
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The above testimonial contains statements and opinions from an actual client of Laurel Wealth Planning. The individual was not compensated to discuss their experience or have it shared on this website. Each client’s experience will differ and this client’s experience may not be indicative of the experiences of other current or future clients. All investing involves risks, including the potential for loss of principal. There is no guarantee that any investment plan or strategy will be successful.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to make financial decisions right away after losing my spouse?
Not necessarily. Some steps are time-sensitive, such as notifying financial institutions, reviewing account titles, and confirming beneficiary designations. Others can wait. One of the first things we do is help you separate what genuinely needs attention now from what can be addressed once you have had time to process. There is no pressure to make major decisions before you are ready.
This is one of the most common situations we encounter. Many clients arrive with limited familiarity with the accounts, investments, and tax decisions their spouse managed. We start from the beginning, help you take inventory of everything, and explain each piece clearly. Our goal is to leave you feeling informed and in control, at whatever pace works for you.
Yes. We proactively coordinate with your other advisors throughout the process. Open communication between your financial planner, estate planning attorney, and CPA leads to better outcomes across the board. We are experienced in working as part of a professional team on behalf of our clients.
Our integrated wealth management service carries a minimum annual fee of $7,500, paid quarterly from your investment accounts. The point-in-time financial plan starts at $7,500 and is adjusted for complexity. There are no transfer fees or hidden costs, and you retain complete control of your assets at all times.
We do not have a minimum account size. The integrated wealth management service is designed for clients with $1 million or more in invested assets, or those who are accumulating toward that level, because clients in that range tend to benefit most from our approach. The annual fee applies regardless of account size.

You can schedule a complimentary consultation at any time. We will listen carefully, learn about your circumstances, and help you determine what kind of support makes the most sense right now. There is no obligation and no expectation. We simply want you to have the information you need to make a good decision about your next step.

Why Choose Laurel Wealth Planning?

Laurel Wealth Planning is a fee-only, fiduciary firm. Our compensation comes solely from you, not from commissions or product sales. We are legally bound to act in your best interest at all times, and our advice is never influenced by outside incentives.

Founded in 1999 and based in Minneapolis, we have spent more than 25 years helping clients navigate life transitions, manage wealth with intention, and build financial plans that reflect what matters most to them. Our team includes CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professionals, Certified Public Accountants, and a Master in Taxation, giving us the depth to address each dimension of your financial picture from a single, coordinated team.

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