Financial Planning for Family Events



Financial planning is never more important than when things change. Family events like marriage, divorce, and death of a spouse or family member can cause a considerable upheaval in your life and in your finances. We’re here to support you and your wealth-building goals as you go through all of the stages of life. This includes revisiting your retirement plans, insurance policies, and every other aspect of your finances when your life circumstances change.
As financial advisors, we use our extensive knowledge and experience to help you make the best financial decisions for your current situation. But we don’t stop there. We use your unique life picture to create your financial plan and, discussing your goals for the future, we tailor your plan to allow for new circumstances that may arise over time. Your financial goals may also change throughout your life, which is why it’s important to adjust your financial plan as needed.
What Is Financial Planning for Life Events?

Financial planning focuses on different aspects of your life, depending on your situation. Some are more influential than others when it comes to your unique plan. If you’re just starting a career or life as a married couple, your plan will need to reflect the current state of your finances. Managing money with a spouse is different from living on one income and we want to make sure you’re setting yourselves up for long term financial success as a couple.
When your career takes off, it may become easier to contribute to your retirement accounts at the maximum allowable amount. This is also the time when you may look into saving for college or pursue other financial goals. As you near retirement, the focus may revert to planning for a comfortable income during your retirement years.
At any time in your life, divorce or the death of your spouse may upend your financial plan. The loss of your partner will mean a shift in your income and the need for a reassessment of your lifestyle and expenses. It can be more difficult to save for retirement. We will help you create a new financial plan taking these circumstances into account and reroute your financial path to help you stay on track.
How Marriage, Death & Divorce Affect Your Financial Plan
Major life events aren’t always negative events, but they still affect your finances. It’s important to think about the impact on your current and future financial situation, because you don’t want to miss out on saving or investing for the future.
Here is a list of life events that should trigger a financial planning assessment:
- Getting married or remarried
- Becoming a parent (first or subsequent child)
- Saving for college
- Saving for or starting retirement
- Divorce
- Death or disability of a spouse or child
While no one can predict the future, we always encourage our clients to prepare for eventualities. And we’re here to help you be more prepared.
FAQs about Financial Planning for Family Events
How Would My Financial Plan Change in the Event of a Divorce?
Unfortunately, most people experience a financial setback with a divorce. It’s time to reevaluate your financial position, including your current retirement savings plans and other investment goals. If you’re caring for dependents, you should also have a financial and legal plan in place in case something happens to you or your ability to earn an income to ensure that your family is protected.
What Financial Considerations Are Needed When Planning for Marriage?
Since money is one reason couples fight, it's really important to tackle your financial planning decisions together. We're happy to meet with you and your spouse and help you create a financial plan for your new family. It would be prudent to invest the money you now save in income taxes toward joint retirement and other investment goals. You should also consider protecting both partners with life and disability insurance.
How Can I Prepare Financially for a Death in the Family?
The best way to prepare for a death in the family is to purchase life insurance for the wage earners of your household. It’s also a good idea to establish an estate plan: make a will, and make sure more than one person knows where to find your important documents, passwords, and account information.
We Help You Plan For Family Events
You never know what life is going to throw at you, but we’re here to help you revise your financial plan when things change. No matter what life event you’re going through, it’s important to prioritize your financial future and create a plan that allows you to make the best of your situation. Reach out today to schedule a free consultation.