Apollon Wealth Management works with women in transition who are taking over the family finances after a divorce or the death of a spouse. We start with a short list of decisions, ordered by deadline.
Most of what lands on your desk can wait a few weeks. A handful of items can't, and we'll tell you which is which.
Taking stock of accounts after a divorce or loss
The first job is a plain inventory, and it takes less time than people fear. Gather the last year-end statements, the most recent 1099 forms, the benefits letter from any employer, and the insurance policies you can find.
We list each account, who owns it, who is named as beneficiary and what it would cost in tax to sell. Nothing gets sold until that tax cost is on the page in front of you. If a business interest is in the mix, we note it separately, since it is often the largest and least liquid item.
What survivor and spousal Social Security benefits look like
A widow can usually claim a survivor benefit, and a divorced spouse may qualify for a benefit based on the ex-spouse's record. The rules on timing and marriage length are specific, so confirm them with the Social Security Administration before you file.
Take a hypothetical widow of 62 whose own benefit is smaller than her late husband's. She may be able to claim one benefit now and switch to the other later. That choice affects income for decades, which is why we run both paths with real numbers before she files.
Full retirement age is 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later. If you claim before it and keep working, the earnings test applies: $24,480 a year in 2026.
Retitling assets and updating beneficiaries
Beneficiary forms override a will, so an ex-spouse can still collect from an old 401(k) if nobody changed the form. This is the quiet error we see most in first progress meetings after a divorce.
- Change beneficiaries on retirement accounts, life insurance and annuities.
- Retitle the house, brokerage and bank accounts into your name alone.
- Ask the plan administrator whether a divorce order needs to be filed before money can move.
- Update your will, power of attorney and health care directive.
How much will one household really spend per month?
Start with last year's bank and card statements, then remove what belonged to two people and add what is new. Housing, health insurance and taxes usually move the most.
Say a hypothetical woman spends $6,000 per month, and $2,000 of that is covered by Social Security. The other $4,000 per month, or $48,000 per year, has to come from savings or work. At a 4 percent withdrawal rate, for illustration, that needs about $1.2 million. Returns are never certain, and investments can lose money, so we also keep a cash reserve for the first few years.
Making decisions at a comfortable pace
Apollon Wealth Management serves clients nationwide, with meetings by video and by phone, so you can meet from your kitchen table. Clients start at $500K in investable assets. Our official figures, as of 10/12/2026: 528,000 clients and $7.1 billion in client assets.
If the family owns a company, we can also coordinate with our business exit planning and estate planning for owners work. Use the request form to ask for a first conversation, and bring the question that's keeping you up at night. We'll rank it against the real deadlines.
Your questions about Apollon Wealth Management, answered
Can a widow collect her late husband's Social Security?
Yes, a widow can usually claim a survivor benefit based on her late husband's record, as early as age 60. The amount depends on his earnings and when you claim. Compare it with your own benefit before filing, because the choice is hard to undo.
Do I need to change beneficiaries right after a divorce?
Yes, update beneficiaries as soon as the divorce is final, and check whether any court order requires it sooner. Retirement accounts and life insurance follow the beneficiary form, not your will, so an ex-spouse can still be paid if the form stays unchanged.
Should I make big financial decisions in the first few months?
Usually not. Handle the items with real deadlines first, such as benefit claims, beneficiary forms and bills, and let larger choices like selling a home wait. Apollon Wealth Management sorts your list by deadline so the rest can move at your pace.
This content is general information only and does not constitute investment, tax or legal advice tailored to your circumstances. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Consult a qualified professional before making any financial or legal decision.