In many instances, spouses execute what is referred to as reciprocal wills. What this means is that each spouse designates the other as the entire beneficiary or the primary beneficiary of their ...

Losing a spouse is emotionally shattering, and the financial fallout can quietly compound that grief for years. I focus here on five specific money mistakes that can devastate a surviving spouse, ...

To better understand their potential benefits and financial risks in retirement, both spouses should be aware of some benefits planning realities.

When a spouse dies, the emotional shock often collides with an immediate financial question: what happens to the Social Security income that helped pay the bills. Survivor rules are technical, but ...

Losing a spouse is an emotionally jarring experience, often leaving the surviving partner adrift in a sea of grief and ...

Losing a spouse brings immense emotional weight and, often, unexpected financial decisions. For many surviving spouses, one of the most complicated and confusing tasks is deciding what to do with the ...

Debt collectors may pressure surviving spouses to pay debts they are not legally responsible for. It is important to understand which debts transfer to a surviving spouse, as laws vary by state.

The portability of the lifetime estate and gift tax exemption amount between spouses was introduced in the 2010 tax law. But details of portability aren’t well-known, and misunderstandings can cost an ...