Women in Transition: A Financial Checklist for Marriage, Divorce, & Loss
Published: December 17th, 2025
Published: December 17th, 2025
Reading Time: 7 Min
Reading Time: 7 Min
Written by: Chahati Lancaster, CFP®
Written by: Chahati Lancaster, CFP®
Major life transitions can bring emotional stress, and financial decisions at the same time. If you’re preparing for marriage, going through divorce, or coping with the loss of a spouse, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed and unsure what to do first.
This guide is a simple starting point: what tends to change during transitions, what to prioritize, and a short checklist you can use to get more clarity.
What Changes During a Transition
What Does a Financial Advisor Do?
Transitions often affect more than your relationship status. They can quickly shift:
Responsibilities: who pays what, who manages what, and what needs attention now
Logistics: accounts, benefits, insurance, and paperwork
Decision fatigue: when emotions are high, even small tasks can feel heavy
Transitions often affect more than your relationship status. They can quickly shift:
Responsibilities: who pays what, who manages what, and what needs attention now
Logistics: accounts, benefits, insurance, and paperwork
Decision fatigue: when emotions are high, even small tasks can feel heavy
Transitions often affect more than your relationship status. They can quickly shift:
A Quick “Get Oriented” Checklist (Save This)
A Quick “Get Oriented” Checklist (Save This)
Gather what you can, perfection not required:
Recent account statements (bank, retirement, brokerage)
Debts + bills (mortgage, loans, credit cards, recurring expenses)
Benefits + insurance (health, life, disability, employer benefits as applicable)
Estate documents (as applicable): will, trust, powers of attorney
A list of questions you want answered (start with your top three)
If you’re married or preparing for marriage, also note: which accounts are shared, which are separate, and what you want to keep simple.
Three Transitions, Three Focus Areas
Three Transitions, Three Focus Areas
Marriage: align before you automate
Helpful discussion areas include whether/how to combine finances, updating beneficiaries, and aligning on goals and tradeoffs. One simple approach: each partner writes down their top five priorities, then you choose the household’s top five together and agree on one next step.
Divorce: organize first, decide second
Divorce often requires untangling accounts and building an independent plan. A practical early focus is getting a clear snapshot of accounts, income, and expenses so you can ask better questions and avoid rushing decisions.
Loss: balance grief with financial logistics
After a loss, there may be time-sensitive items, but it can still help to avoid rushing major decisions if you’re feeling overwhelmed. When you’re ready, review account titles and beneficiaries, and consider tax/benefit timing as applicable.
A Note on Online Research (Including AI)
A Note on Online Research (Including AI)
Online information can help you learn and generate questions, but it doesn’t reflect your full financial context (goals, cash flow, benefits, taxes, timelines). What works for someone else may not fit your situation. Regarding AI, review and sense-check all outputs, as AI tools can occasionally produce incomplete or inaccurate information.
Online information can help you learn and generate questions, but it doesn’t reflect your full financial context (goals, cash flow, benefits, taxes, timelines). What works for someone else may not fit your situation. Regarding AI, review and sense-check all outputs, as AI tools can occasionally produce incomplete or inaccurate information.
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If you want help applying this to your specific situation, Zoe Financial can match you with a vetted fiduciary financial advisor through findanadvisor.com.
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Disclosure: This page is not investment advice and should not be relied on for such advice or as a substitute for consultation with professional accounting, tax, legal or financial advisors. The observations of industry trends should not be read as recommendations for stocks or sectors.
Investment advisory services are provided by Zoe Financial, Inc. (Zoe Financial), an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Learn more about Zoe Financial on the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website. Brokerage services are provided by Zoe Securities LLC and Apex Clearing Corporation, members of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. (FINRA) and Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). Learn more about Zoe Securities and Apex on FINRA’s BrokerCheck website. Zoe Financial is not affiliated with, nor endorsed or sponsored by, United Capital Financial Advisors.
The information in the visuals above is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an actual user's account, balance, or return. Zoe Financial does not provide tax or legal advice.
Zoe Financial is independent and not affiliated with United Capital. Comments made by United Capital are their own and do not reflect those of Zoe Financial. CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are registered trademarks owned by CFA Institute.
Opinions of Zoe Financial included in this material constitute the Firm’s judgment as of the date of this material and are subject to change without notice.
The information provided by Zoe Financial is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment advice or as an offer to buy or sell any security. All investments involve risk, including possible loss of principal.
Advisory services offered by United Capital Financial Advisors, LLC (“United Capital”), a registered investment adviser. How we are compensated by you may change over time and will depend on various factors. Please ask questions and refer to United Capital’s publicly available Form ADV where applicable.
United Capital makes recommendations based on the specific needs and circumstances of each client. Clients should carefully consider their own investment objectives and never rely on any single chart, graph, or marketing piece to make decisions. Investing involves risk, and investments may lose value. There are no investment strategies that guarantee a profit or protect against loss. Any investment advisory services are provided pursuant to the terms of your agreement with United Capital or an affiliate or a third-party investment adviser, as applicable.
United Capital does not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice. Clients should obtain their own independent legal, tax, or accounting advice based on their particular circumstances.
The information contained herein is intended for informational purposes only, is not a recommendation to buy or sell any securities and should not be considered investment advice. The material is based upon information which we consider reliable, but we do not represent that such information is accurate or complete, and it should not be relied upon as such. The information, data, analyses, and opinions contained herein include confidential and proprietary portfolio information of United Capital, may not be copied or redistributed for noncommercial or personal purpose without United Capital’s expressed permission.
All names, logos, and slogans identifying United Capital or United Capital’s products and services (including, without limitation, HonestConversations®, MoneyMind®, FinLife®, Financial Control Scorecard®, Live Richly℠, We Help You Live Richly℠, Helping People Live Richly®, One Best Financial Life®, Ideal Life Index®, GuideCenter®, InvestmentViewfinder℠, United Capital Financial Life Management®, and Financial Years of Freedom℠) are trademarks and service marks or registered trademarks and service marks of United Capital or its affiliates in the United States and/or other countries.
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Disclosure: This page is not investment advice and should not be relied on for such advice or as a substitute for consultation with professional accounting, tax, legal or financial advisors. The observations of industry trends should not be read as recommendations for stocks or sectors.
Investment advisory services are provided by Zoe Financial, Inc. (Zoe Financial), an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Learn more about Zoe Financial on the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website. Brokerage services are provided by Zoe Securities LLC and Apex Clearing Corporation, members of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. (FINRA) and Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). Learn more about Zoe Securities and Apex on FINRA’s BrokerCheck website. Zoe Financial is not affiliated with, nor endorsed or sponsored by, United Capital Financial Advisors.
The information in the visuals above is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an actual user's account, balance, or return. Zoe Financial does not provide tax or legal advice.
Zoe Financial is independent and not affiliated with United Capital. Comments made by United Capital are their own and do not reflect those of Zoe Financial. CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are registered trademarks owned by CFA Institute.
Opinions of Zoe Financial included in this material constitute the Firm’s judgment as of the date of this material and are subject to change without notice.
The information provided by Zoe Financial is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment advice or as an offer to buy or sell any security. All investments involve risk, including possible loss of principal.
Advisory services offered by United Capital Financial Advisors, LLC (“United Capital”), a registered investment adviser. How we are compensated by you may change over time and will depend on various factors. Please ask questions and refer to United Capital’s publicly available Form ADV where applicable.
United Capital makes recommendations based on the specific needs and circumstances of each client. Clients should carefully consider their own investment objectives and never rely on any single chart, graph, or marketing piece to make decisions. Investing involves risk, and investments may lose value. There are no investment strategies that guarantee a profit or protect against loss. Any investment advisory services are provided pursuant to the terms of your agreement with United Capital or an affiliate or a third-party investment adviser, as applicable.
United Capital does not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice. Clients should obtain their own independent legal, tax, or accounting advice based on their particular circumstances.
The information contained herein is intended for informational purposes only, is not a recommendation to buy or sell any securities and should not be considered investment advice. The material is based upon information which we consider reliable, but we do not represent that such information is accurate or complete, and it should not be relied upon as such. The information, data, analyses, and opinions contained herein include confidential and proprietary portfolio information of United Capital, may not be copied or redistributed for noncommercial or personal purpose without United Capital’s expressed permission.
All names, logos, and slogans identifying United Capital or United Capital’s products and services (including, without limitation, HonestConversations®, MoneyMind®, FinLife®, Financial Control Scorecard®, Live Richly℠, We Help You Live Richly℠, Helping People Live Richly®, One Best Financial Life®, Ideal Life Index®, GuideCenter®, InvestmentViewfinder℠, United Capital Financial Life Management®, and Financial Years of Freedom℠) are trademarks and service marks or registered trademarks and service marks of United Capital or its affiliates in the United States and/or other countries.
Explore the Zoe Wealth Platform with AI
Some of this content may have been generated with the assistance of AI. Please review and sense-check all outputs, as AI tools can occasionally produce incomplete or inaccurate information.
In certain situations, you may be required to disclose that the content was “generated by AI.” Please confirm any specific disclosure or labelling requirements with Compliance.
(646) 680-9244
support@zoefin.com
666 Third Ave, 6th Floor
New York, NY, 10017
Copyright © 2025 Zoe Financial, Inc. | All rights reserved
Disclosure: This page is not investment advice and should not be relied on for such advice or as a substitute for consultation with professional accounting, tax, legal or financial advisors. The observations of industry trends should not be read as recommendations for stocks or sectors.
Investment advisory services are provided by Zoe Financial, Inc. (Zoe Financial), an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Learn more about Zoe Financial on the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website. Brokerage services are provided by Zoe Securities LLC and Apex Clearing Corporation, members of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. (FINRA) and Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). Learn more about Zoe Securities and Apex on FINRA’s BrokerCheck website. Zoe Financial is not affiliated with, nor endorsed or sponsored by, United Capital Financial Advisors.
The information in the visuals above is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an actual user's account, balance, or return. Zoe Financial does not provide tax or legal advice.
Zoe Financial is independent and not affiliated with United Capital. Comments made by United Capital are their own and do not reflect those of Zoe Financial. CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are registered trademarks owned by CFA Institute.
Opinions of Zoe Financial included in this material constitute the Firm’s judgment as of the date of this material and are subject to change without notice.
The information provided by Zoe Financial is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment advice or as an offer to buy or sell any security. All investments involve risk, including possible loss of principal.
Advisory services offered by United Capital Financial Advisors, LLC (“United Capital”), a registered investment adviser. How we are compensated by you may change over time and will depend on various factors. Please ask questions and refer to United Capital’s publicly available Form ADV where applicable.
United Capital makes recommendations based on the specific needs and circumstances of each client. Clients should carefully consider their own investment objectives and never rely on any single chart, graph, or marketing piece to make decisions. Investing involves risk, and investments may lose value. There are no investment strategies that guarantee a profit or protect against loss. Any investment advisory services are provided pursuant to the terms of your agreement with United Capital or an affiliate or a third-party investment adviser, as applicable.
United Capital does not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice. Clients should obtain their own independent legal, tax, or accounting advice based on their particular circumstances.
The information contained herein is intended for informational purposes only, is not a recommendation to buy or sell any securities and should not be considered investment advice. The material is based upon information which we consider reliable, but we do not represent that such information is accurate or complete, and it should not be relied upon as such. The information, data, analyses, and opinions contained herein include confidential and proprietary portfolio information of United Capital, may not be copied or redistributed for noncommercial or personal purpose without United Capital’s expressed permission.
All names, logos, and slogans identifying United Capital or United Capital’s products and services (including, without limitation, HonestConversations®, MoneyMind®, FinLife®, Financial Control Scorecard®, Live Richly℠, We Help You Live Richly℠, Helping People Live Richly®, One Best Financial Life®, Ideal Life Index®, GuideCenter®, InvestmentViewfinder℠, United Capital Financial Life Management®, and Financial Years of Freedom℠) are trademarks and service marks or registered trademarks and service marks of United Capital or its affiliates in the United States and/or other countries.
Explore the Zoe Wealth Platform with AI
Some of this content may have been generated with the assistance of AI. Please review and sense-check all outputs, as AI tools can occasionally produce incomplete or inaccurate information.
In certain situations, you may be required to disclose that the content was “generated by AI.” Please confirm any specific disclosure or labelling requirements with Compliance.
(646) 680-9244
support@zoefin.com
666 Third Ave, 6th Floor
New York, NY, 10017
Copyright © 2025 Zoe Financial, Inc. | All rights reserved