Why Widows Must Prioritize Estate Planning. How RJP Helps Secure Their Future
When a woman loses her spouse, the emotional toll is intense. In many cases, additional factors can take a toll. She can also left with a labyrinth of legal, financial, and administrative decisions that can impact her future for decades. Research shows that nearly 80% of women outlive their spouses (U.S. Census Bureau, 2021). Widows often face unexpected challenges, ranging from understanding inherited assets to adjusting to a single income. Without proactive estate planning, these challenges can quickly spiral into long-term insecurity.
At RJP, we understand that for widows, estate planning isn't just about the documents, it's about peace of mind, financial clarity, and long-term empowerment.
The Financial Risks Widows Face
According to the Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement (WISER), widowhood is one of the leading triggers of financial vulnerability for women over 50 (WISER, 2022). Many enter this chapter unprepared:
- Loss of household income can dramatically alter one’s retirement trajectory (Social Security Administration, 2023).
- Delayed or outdated estate documents often leave widows entangled in probate or struggling with unclear beneficiary designations (American College of Financial Services, 2020).
- Unfamiliarity with the couple’s financial picture can result in missed claims, underutilized resources, and avoidable taxes (Fidelity Investments, 2021).
Even those who had previously shared in financial decision-making often underestimate the complexities of managing an estate alone, particularly when they are grieving.
The Role of Estate Planning in Healing and Security
Estate planning after a spouse’s death is about more than reviewing and organizing what’s left behind; it’s about rebuilding with intention. A widow's revised plan should cover:
- Updating trusts and wills to reflect new beneficiaries and fiduciaries
- Naming appropriate powers of attorney and health care agents for future care decisions
- Minimizing tax exposure and ensuring efficient asset transfers
- Protecting heirs by organizing clear, actionable documents that reduce family conflict and legal delays
These are not one-size-fits-all solutions. Widows need an advisor who can guide them with both clarity and compassion (AARP, 2022).
How RJP Supports Widows Through Every Step
At RJP, we offer estate planning services tailored specifically for women navigating widowhood. Our approach is grounded in education, empowerment, and practical support. Our process includes:
- A comprehensive review of the existing estate plan, including analysis of trust structure, asset titling, and probate exposure
- Goal-oriented guidance that accounts for future family needs, charitable interests, and personal legacy
- Collaboration with financial advisors and tax professionals to ensure seamless planning and coordinated execution
- Ongoing education to equip widows with the knowledge and confidence they need to make sound decisions going forward
We offer educational estate planning events specically for women. If you are intrested in signing up for an event, please click our events tab, then navigate to the Wine, Women and Wills section.
We don’t just create documents, we develop plans for life transitions, centered on each client’s personal values and priorities.
A Personal Perspective: Deb Placet Knows This Journey Firsthand
At RJP, our commitment to helping widows plan for their futures isn’t just professional, it’s deeply personal. Deb Placet, the founder of RJP, is herself a widow. After the loss of her husband, Jim, Deb faced the profound emotional and logistical challenges that so many women encounter during widowhood. In addition to navigating her own grief, she was responsible for continuing to lead and grow a business, manage her household, and make financial decisions that would shape the next phase of her life.
Deb understands the overwhelm that can come with handling estate documents, trust accounts, and legal responsibilities when you're also managing emotional loss. She knows what it feels like to be handed a checklist of tasks at a time when even getting out of bed can be difficult. It’s from this lived experience that she has shaped RJP’s approach to estate planning for widows: practical, clear, and deeply compassionate.
When you work with RJP, you’re not just receiving expert guidance, you’re working with a team led by someone who has walked this path and made it her mission to support other women through it.
A Trusted Partner for the Road Ahead
Widowhood can be an overwhelming chapter. With the proper guidance, widows can take charge of their future, protect their loved ones, and find confidence in their next steps.
RJP is proud to stand beside widows as they plan for the future. We offer not only expert-driven estate planning but also a supportive space to ask questions, explore options, and build a secure legacy.
References
AARP. (2022). The Financial Impact of Widowhood. Retrieved from https://www.aarp.org
American College of Financial Services. (2020). Widowhood and Financial Planning. Retrieved from https://www.theamericancollege.edu
Fidelity Investments. (2021). Widow’s Guide to Financial Planning. Retrieved from https://www.fidelity.com
Social Security Administration. (2023). Benefits for Widows and Widowers. Retrieved from https://www.ssa.gov
U.S. Census Bureau. (2021). Marital Status of the Population by Sex and Age. Retrieved from https://www.census.gov
WISER (Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement). (2022). Financial Steps for Recent Widows. Retrieved from https://www.wiserwomen.org