Advice for New Widows
If you’re a new widow, chances are your emotions are raw, and the last thing you want to focus on is your finances. But, after the will is read, there are some things that are essential for newly widowed spouses to know. So, for your own well-being, it’s important to set aside time to deal with the details of providing for yourself financially. You didn’t ask to be widowed, but now that you are, there are some things you must do.
A newly widowed person has many decisions to make, none of which should be made hastily. This isn’t the time to move, sell or buy a house or car, make investments with an inheritance, or think about remarriage. Give your emotions time to heal, and seek reliable counselors. Above all, don’t listen to those who insist that you must “act now, before the opportunity is lost.”
Sometimes widows willingly turn over all decision making to someone else so they won’t have to think about these issues, and under the circumstances, this is certainly understandable. However, except in rare instances, no one can deal with most of these issues but you.
Whenever you feel down or overwhelmed by the decisions you have to make, remember, “A father of the fatherless and a champion of widows is God in His holy dwelling” (Psalm 68:5). Pray for God’s guidance, and trust in His love for you during this difficult time of adjustment.
Once again, make no long-range financial decisions during the first year. And under no circumstances should you turn over finances to anyone to invest for you until you’ve recovered emotionally.
God’s Word encourages us to “be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’ ” (Hebrews 13:5).
Written by Howard Dayton