Ask Kim

Dear Kim,  I’m 56 and widowed. With my youngest child leaving for college soon, I’ve started thinking about relocating—maybe downsizing or even moving out of state. I want a fresh start, but I’m nervous about how that would impact my finances long-term,… Read more »

Dear Kim,  I’m 49 and recently divorced after 20 years of marriage. My ex always handled our credit and bills, and now I’m worried about losing access to credit or damaging my score. I still have a mortgage in my name and… Read more »

Dear Kim,  My grandmother passed away and left a small estate. I recently found out that her will stated that if her children died before her, then that portion of her estate would go to the grandchild (which is me).  I want… Read more »

Dear Kim,  My father recently passed away, and I am the executor of his will.  He left a note for me to open after his death, and that note shared that he had loaned $20,000 to a friend a year ago.  He… Read more »

Dear Kim,  Five years ago, when I was 50, I chose to take a large buyout ($100,000) when my company was downsizing. I’m still working at another job now, but I’m single, and I invested that money so that it could hopefully… Read more »

Dear Kim,  I’ve received a life insurance payout following my mother’s death, and while it’s a blessing, it feels heavy to handle alone. It is a six figure amount that I know will be helpful for my future.  What should I be… Read more »

Dear Kim,  After my husband died, I discovered accounts and investments I didn’t even know we had. Needless to say, I was shocked – and sad he didn’t trust me enough to keep me in the know. How do I make sense… Read more »

Dear Kim,  My husband passed away a few months ago.  He had always handled our finances and met with our “money people”, and I trusted him to take care of it, which he did. I’m not hurting for anything … but money… Read more »

Dear Kim,  I divorced my husband last year after 15 years of marriage. It’s been a roller coaster to say the least – and I’m just now getting to the point where I can even hear the thoughts in my own head… Read more »

Dear Kim,  My husband passed away unexpectedly 3 months ago.  We did not have any children, and I’m now working to readjust some of my accounts. We previously had our accounts held jointly, and I didn’t have to worry about beneficiaries.  What… Read more »

Dear Kim,  I’ve been divorced for over two years now, after 21 years of marriage.  It took me the first year after divorce to realize that I was finally free from my former husband’s controlling tendencies. I feel like I’m a new… Read more »

Dear Kim,  I’m widowed, 63 years old, and have two adult sons, ages 36 and 33.  They are each married and have full-time jobs.  One of my sons, however, has a child who has major medical issues, and the cost of special… Read more »