![How to cope when spouses die young](https://cdn.magzter.com/1617717947/1714857681/articles/-aUDwk2pE1714864141203/HOW-TO-COPE-WHEN-SPOUSES-DIE-YOUNG.jpg)
It was April 10, 2018, and Mr Colin Brougham hadn't sent his usual text to his wife that he was cycling home. Instead, he lay dead a few blocks away after a commuter train struck him.
"I knew he was dead before I knew he was dead," recalled Mrs Rachel Brougham, his widow. "My son and I went to the scene, and when I was told it was him, I screamed so loud I think all of Minneapolis heard me." Mrs Brougham was only 39.
"My life as I knew it changed in an instant," said Mrs Brougham, now 46. "My future as I imagined it was stolen. Grief changes your brain chemistry. It changes how you think, how you interact with others, how you work. It literally changes every single thing about your life."
Those widowed in their 20s and 30s, few of whom may even have a will, can feel even more stunned and unprepared. Who expects to die that young?
Mrs Brougham, like anyone whose spouse dies unexpectedly, suddenly faced a variety of complex financial decisions: how to handle mortgage payments, car and student loans, leases and credit card debts. Blinded by grief, exhausted and overwhelmed, the bereaved must also plan and pay for a funeral and its various expenses.
"As a certified financial planner, and someone who specialises in supporting young widows and widowers, I've seen first-hand the raw heartache of this community," said Mr Brian K. Seymour II, founder and chief executive of Prosperitage Wealth in Atlanta.
"Losing your partner at a young age, whether to illness or a sudden accident, throws you into a storm of grief and financial upheaval." Even if it feels overwhelming, Mr Seymour recommends getting control of your financial situation immediately.
"Gather all your financial documents bank statements, investment accounts, life insurance policies, wills and get yourself organised," he said.
This story is from the May 05, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 05, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Many old faces retain key posts in Modi's new Cabinet
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s new coalition government on June 10 appointed Ms Nirmala Sitharaman as finance minister for a second consecutive term, the government said in a statement.
![PANG PERSISTS FOR S'PORE VICTORY](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/24723/1735235/XCMlCjW2b1718583576600/PANG-PERSISTS-FOR-SPORE-VICTORY.jpg)
PANG PERSISTS FOR S'PORE VICTORY
Endurance propels I7-year-old to maiden Tour win at rain-delayed Ladies Masters
![MBAPPE WILL BE UNSTOPPABLE: CISSE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/24723/1735235/d0Dvf6nZa1718583471889/MBAPPE-WILL-BE-UNSTOPPABLE-CISSE.jpg)
MBAPPE WILL BE UNSTOPPABLE: CISSE
Les Bleus captain back to his best with club future settled, says former France forward
![SUPERSUB WEGHORST DELIVERS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/24723/1735235/669mOkG551718583334667/SUPERSUB-WEGHORST-DELIVERS.jpg)
SUPERSUB WEGHORST DELIVERS
Striker continues to shine on the big stage, scoring 83rd-minute winner against Poland
![Ashwath, 8, wants to be one of youngest grandmasters](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/24723/1735235/g2m5wkhgB1718583229252/ASHWATH-8-WANTS-TO-BE-ONE-OF-YOUNGEST-GRANDMASTERS.jpg)
Ashwath, 8, wants to be one of youngest grandmasters
Having become the youngest player to beat a grandmaster recently, eight-year-old Ashwath Kaushik has set his sights on attaining chess’ highest rank soon.
![BOL RELISHES 'NICE BATTLE' AT OLYMPICS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/24723/1735235/8GUDEIOZA1718583051422/BOL-RELISHES-NICE-BATTLE-AT-OLYMPICS.jpg)
BOL RELISHES 'NICE BATTLE' AT OLYMPICS
She seeks best form for highly anticipated hurdles race against McLaughlin-Levrone
![GHALIB DOWNS THE MONKEY](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/24723/1735235/-u28QmJnv1718581885083/GHALIB-DOWNS-THE-MONKEY.jpg)
GHALIB DOWNS THE MONKEY
Up-and-coming 4YO rolls hot favourite after ace rider Nunes stacks up the speed in front
![Less meat on menus and fewer new venues: How the Olympics are trying to go green](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/24723/1735235/fDXDu51ux1718581703269/LESS-MEAT-ON-MENUS-AND-FEWER-NEW-VENUES-HOW-THE-OLYMPICS-ARE-TRYING-TO-GO-GREEN.jpg)
Less meat on menus and fewer new venues: How the Olympics are trying to go green
Paris event organisers pledge to halve greenhouse gas emissions from London and Rio levels.
![Investing in sustainability offers long-term opportunities: GIC](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/24723/1735235/rQUuypN4c1718581621534/INVESTING-IN-SUSTAINABILITY-OFFERS-LONGTERM-OPPORTUNITIES-GIC.jpg)
Investing in sustainability offers long-term opportunities: GIC
It sees prospects for market growth, better returns even as climate change risks rise
![Bitcoin miners pivot to South-east Asia after China crackdown](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/24723/1735235/uHV5ceY2y1718581517863/BITCOIN-MINERS-PIVOT-TO-SOUTHEAST-ASIA-AFTER-CHINA-CRACKDOWN.jpg)
Bitcoin miners pivot to South-east Asia after China crackdown
The 6.9ha cement slab in the middle of a Borneo industrial area once belonged to a logging company. Long ago, that business abandoned the site to the elements, leaving just rudimentary structures and a four-storey concrete birdhouse made to lure swiftlets whose nests, built with saliva, fetch high prices in China.