Financial Shocks Burden Grieving Spouses

Losing a spouse is a profound emotional blow, and it often triggers a second crisis: a financial fog of legal hurdles and hidden tax traps.

- BY VERONICA DAGHER

From being locked out of assets to facing a “widow's penalty” that can raise tax rates, the transition from a partnership to solo financial management is fraught with potential costs.The Wall Street Journal asked financial planners and other exper