I’ll go back to the widow from the #2 point on our list, the woman who described the feeling of shared investment that she had lost when her husband died. She told me that the slow recognition of this fact was actually a huge turning point for her.

How to get through the day after the loss of a spouse?

Household chores, sharing finances, making plans…all of these things can make it hard to get through the day after the loss of a spouse. But the promise of escape from these stresses that sleep may otherwise provide is something else a widow or widower may lose.

What happens in the case of the loss of a spouse?

Because every part of the owner’s life and livelihood, and every part of their security and dreams and hopes went into that restaurant. And in the case of the loss of a spouse, the fact is that only our spouse or partner will feel the same investment and care in our life that we do.

What should a widow expect from her friends?

Even a very caring network of support can’t replace this one thing we had: a shared and equally vested interest in the outcome of each other’s lives.  A widow pointed this out to me, and boy was she right. “My friends are great,” she said, “when I share a worry about my daughter or grandson, they’ll nod and show compassion and concern.

What to do in the weeks after the death of your husband?

This book is a thoughtful collection of inspirations and insights about the grieving process as a widow. In the weeks and months following the loss of your husband, you may be numb with shock.

Do you have to pay capital gains tax if you are a widow?

As a recent widow, you have one more card to play to beat capital gains tax. In all likelihood, you and your husband owned your home jointly (both of your names were on the deed) or there was a built-in right-of-survivorship.

What happens to your spouse’s property after death?

Your spouse’s half of the property received a step-up in tax basis to the value of that half on the day he died. If you live in a community property state, your half did as well. Otherwise, your half will have a tax basis of 50% of the original cost plus cost of improvements.