With the loss of a spouse, the struggle is real. As you enter into the emotional times of being on your own, you don’t want to be hassled by problems that can be avoided. Simple day to day decisions can become huge issues because, of the uncertainly that sets in.
What bills to pay? Balance the checkbook! How much income will I have this month? Mow the grass, vacuum, laundry, wash the dishes, dish. Change the oil in the car. Good Grief!!!
Avoid this confusion! Spend some time on you.
My education and knowledge come from my work experience. I have worked in downtown Haines City, Florida since January 1965. I started at the Bank of Central Florida and then moved to the State Bank of Haines City in 1971. As the state of Florida started approving branch banking, the old line banks had to provide the experienced employees for the branches. It became abundantly clear that the standard of full service was being diluted in favor of more offices. Banking was losing it's "home town" sense of community. I expected that to continue with branching.
In 1980, I decided to get out of the banking business but was not sure what I wanted to do. Research and information was hard to find (remember there was no internet at the time). One morning while at work, I walked across the lobby of the bank and asked each of the tellers, "who brings in the largest check each Friday?" (Yes, the Executive Vice President of the Bank can ask that question.) The man that was bringing in the largest check was an insurance guy, so I decided to go into the insurance business. Research pays off!
I started to work for the Florida Farm Bureau Insurance Company. I maintained a small office in a friend's real estate office for those 3 years in Haines City. I left Farm Bureau and bought into an independent agency in 1983. I am still in the same office today.
Over the years, I have gained some business experience by joint ventures with some clients. I partnered with some cattle people, some citrus growers, home builders, and developers - and gained a wealth of experience through those partnerships.
Banking and insurance has brought me to many family meetings. That has become my passion and expertise. I discuss personal matters and finances every day helping people plan their future. I have found that widows and widowers are mostly unprepared for life after the loss of a spouse. this experience that I have describes is the basis for this workbook.
Typically, one spouse outlives the other. If your spouse dies, you will need to know the answers to the questions in this workbook. This will be your "go-to" handbook. This quick and valuable exercise will prepare you for living alone in retirement should you lose your spouse. You will be in charge....of all household issues and all personal finances. Are you ready?
The emotion of losing a spouse cannot be described. The pain can be constant. The memories can no longer be changed or improved. Most people are not prepared. You and your spouse need to have a discussion about what will happen if one should pass.
Have you ever wondered if those you leave behind will be prepared for life without you? That's a weighty question, but one we must address unless our families are left with more than one grief to wrestle with. Bob Walker has been working with widows and widowers to address those critical issues, most of which did not leave a well-planned, "what now?" for their families. I've not only had the privilege to be Bob's Pastor, but I've been in some of those trenches with him. God has gifted him with a unique mix of compassion and wisdom that has benefitted hundreds as they come face to face with the crisis that often follow a death. What happened to our retirement income? Whose property is this now? How do I address the debt they left behind? These questions are but a sampling of those Bob has helped families work through following a death of a spouse. This book is the product of what Bob has been doing for decades as he assisted families to try and piece together the next steps. Grief alone is a tough process to work through. This book will assist families to plan in hopes to lessen the stress that comes after the death of a spouse. Bob is a gifted businessman, husband, and grandfather. He demonstrates a deep love for people, especially those who are grieving. His book is an essential resource to help families, one that I have used many times in assisting families to prepare for the future.
All my adult life my dad, the home builder, has always consulted with Bob Walker. Real estate matters, home construction and finance Bob, has been the go-to guy. He actually paid the bills for my dad in later years. We never had an issue.
After my father died; Bob Walker went from being a church acquaintance to a trusted adviser for our family. He gently but firmly helped my mother and I navigate the logistical, financial, and emotional difficulties of widowhood, even assisting her in selling her house. As my mother has aged and become less independent, Bob continues to be there for us, always willing to guide us as situations arise, in areas ranging from life insurance needs to seeking help with assisted living. Although he is quiet about it, I know that Bob has supported many others in our church and community through his one-man ministry to the elderly, truly out of the goodness of his heart. He has a special gift of providing clarity and calm assurance, even in difficult conditions. With his knowledge of banking and insurance, as well as personal experience in managing the care of his own family members. Bob has gained invaluable insight into planning for the complexities of aging, and he has a passion for sharing his knowledge. Bob is a Godly man with a servant's heart and a sincere desire to help others, and my family has been blessed and comforted with his care.
My wife and I have had the conviction for many many years now [We're in our early 70's] that we want to live in such a way not only spiritually to be an example to our family and others, but also in regards to our personal finances that we never become a burden via our death/s to our family through any kind of financial mismanagement. As such we have already tried to go to great lengths to 'put and keep our financial house in order'. With that in mind as an underpinning to our personal core values it was with great interest that I received Walker's book from his brother-in-law, Karl, recently. My first intention was to see from the author's point of view whether we really had at least a 'good start' to our financial house being in good order... and we did!Second, I wanted to really hone in on where our thinking had been clouded or not even in the right ballpark as far as the author's 'checklist' of things to keep in mind and important questions and tips to consider. Here again I was so encouraged that most all of what was important for Walker was part of our focus as well. Third, Walker ground his thoughts, focus and convictions in the Scriptures which was also a core value for us.Fourth, Walker was a very pragmatic in terms of an understandable step-by-step approach, along with common sense reasons for taking those steps. This would include the strong need to be personally responsible for your financial well-being for all that you can handle well yourself, but also humble enough to seek good counsel/advice from trusted professionals where you felt any lack in your own ability. Fifth, Walker continually encouraged good communication with key people in your life, especially heirs, on all matters including those of a sensitive nature, like where disagreements were possibly present...along with urging you to smooth those over or be certain that they would still honor your wishes. Finally, Walker gave the all-important injunction to 'DO IT NOW' for matters that all of us find it too easily to PUT OFF for another day... because another day may well not come and critical desires with regard to one's estate will not as such be expedited according to your wishes. In Conclusion: Walker's organization of thoughts, layout of ideas and dogged determination to encourage one to do the right thing for one's self and one's loved ones spoke volumes to me to keep doing the right thing with regard to 'getting one's house in order'!
My purpose in creating this workbook is to help families be better prepared in the event a family member passes away. I have been in the heartbreaking position of working with a surviving spouse and having to break the news that they didn't have enough income to remain in the family home.
After a spouse dies, all of the rules change. This workbook helps families to prepare themselves with the proper information and to remind them of the most important matters to take care of. Families who complete the steps in this workbook have a peace of mind knowing that they have authorized signatures on all accounts, the correct beneficiaries listed, and the desired heirs in an updated will.
If you are the person that handles the family finances, show them how much you care and record your family information in this workbook. Having all the information reviewed and recorded brings peace of mind to both spouses.
I have been using the questions in this workbook with families for many years. Every family is different. Every household has different needs. This workbook identifies the areas that each family will need to review to ensure that all finances and important information are organized and easy to find. The goal is to make hard conversations as easy as possible and all of the information transferable should a spouse pass away. Some family members have never been asked to review the home or car insurance. The more you know the easier it will be.
No, the process is simple. Someone in the household usually takes care of all or most of the household business. This information should be shared. This workbook outlines questions that should be answered and shared with the family. If additional help is needed in a certain area, this workbook will direct you right back to your attorney, insurance agent, or other professionals that you trust and have been doing business with so that you can get the right answers.
No, it does not. You do not even have to address a question if all of the family is up to date on the information. You can just put a "X" on that question and move on to the next question.
Families, seniors, widows, widowers, singles -- they all could benefit from using this book. Being prepared brings a priceless peace of mind in knowing that you have the vital pieces of information in one place.
I choose to name this "If Your Spouse Dies" because the problem is real and the reality is often avoided. In many cases, one spouse will outlive the other and the surviving spouse has to figure out how to handle everything. I was advised to take a softer stance on the title, but I did not want to do that. I have spent years working with widows and widowers who were caught off guard after their spouse died. If I can help just one couple to be better prepared, then this workbook has served its purpose.